"In this joint interview, we'd like to hear from both of you about how this European Championship knockout match affected you."
"We know that when footballers face each other on the pitch, especially midfielders, they have to think constantly about their positioning."
"You need to decide where to pass the ball and how to keep it under control. Only then can you help your team play better."
"Let's start with Modrić. Many supporters were disappointed to see you eliminated from the European Championship."
"You have so many fans across Europe. They hoped you could lead Croatia even further, perhaps even to the title!"
Hearing Gullit's words, Luka Modrić remembered everything he had said to his Croatian teammates in the dressing room.
Those words had come from his heart. They were also the reason every Croatian player had fought so hard throughout the European Championship.
"I don't know how many of my teammates are watching this interview, but I want to tell every Croatia player that I'm sorry. I failed to lead you in creating a miracle for Croatia."
"I told all of you time and again that we would make Croatia's supporters happy and that we would win the European Championship. But now we've been eliminated."
"So I want to apologize to every Croatia player and every Croatian supporter."
Luka Modrić had suddenly become so serious that Gullit, Scholes, and the others did not know how to react.
Leo Lin punched Gullit in the arm. He thought Gullit's question had been completely unnecessary.
"Then I won't ask Modrić anymore. Lin, tell us how you feel about reaching the European Championship quarterfinals."
Leo Lin immediately punched Gullit again.
"I'll talk about what it felt like to face Modrić in the last match. He was unbelievably good."
"Modrić is the kind of player who has already carried the ball past you by the time you realize you need to challenge him. He's always one step ahead of your reaction."
Leo Lin tried to demonstrate Modrić's dribbling posture with his hands.
"It's just that classic Modrić style."
"Now I finally understand why Real Madrid supporters love him so much."
Modrić sat beside Leo Lin, looking at him as though he were saying, Go on, keep flattering me.
When it came to discussing their impressions of the match, Modrić was the one who remembered it most vividly.
"Since you want to talk about how it felt, let me tell you."
The moment Modrić said that, everyone around him became interested.
Gullit had always wanted to experience firsthand the pressure Leo Lin exerted on the pitch, the kind that had caused so many opposing midfields to collapse.
"When we first started playing Spain, I didn't feel much pressure. I even thought we could win."
"Then Lin started doing the things he always does for Liverpool. The way he carried the ball, the way he broke through, and the way he helped his teammates attack."
"Do you know why I kept running as hard as I could? Because I didn't dare let Lin receive the ball anywhere we couldn't control him."
"Whenever he appeared, just looking at him made me nervous. I was always worried that he would immediately put Livaković's goal under threat."
"Given the choice, I never want to play against Lin again. I only want to be his teammate!"
While Leo Lin and Modrić were being interviewed, another European Championship round-of-16 match had ended, with France facing Belgium.
Since his close friend De Bruyne played for Belgium, Leo Lin had been particularly concerned about the result.
The score Scholes revealed demonstrated just how strong France were.
"This was the most fiercely debated matchup in recent days. It was one of those rare games where half the supporters expected France to win and the other half backed Belgium."
"The stars Belgium's supporters were counting on all performed well, especially De Bruyne and Lukaku!"
"And that young left winger, Doku, impressed me. He reminded me of Hazard, though they beat defenders in different ways. Doku changes his rhythm far more frequently."
"But despite Belgium playing so well, France still eliminated them 1-0!"
"Who would have expected Muani to come off the bench and help France create the winning goal? Marcus Thuram and several others also played well."
"The biggest surprise, however, was Koundé at right-back. His performance was practically flawless."
"Another elite midfielder has left the European Championship. Kevin De Bruyne's tournament is over!"
Leo Lin felt deeply disappointed for De Bruyne.
"We've played Manchester City many times over the years, and everyone knows they reclaimed the Premier League title last season."
"De Bruyne created 40 league goals for Manchester City, earning recognition as one of the Premier League's best midfielders. He and I were the two midfielders selected for the Premier League Team of the Season."
"I've always liked and admired him. I even have three De Bruyne shirts at home."
"But that's the European Championship. You can't keep every player you like in the tournament."
Modrić was still chatting with the others when another match suddenly ended.
Germany had eliminated their opponents, meaning Spain would face Germany in the next round.
"It looks like you'll be playing Germany next. I never expected you to meet this early. I always thought at least one of your two teams would win the tournament!"
Gullit had started making predictions again, as though he had not made enough of them over the years.
"There's another development. Italy are out!"
Scholes's announcement left everyone in the studio stunned.
"Italy, whose squad is valued at more than 200 million above Switzerland's, have lost 2-0 and been eliminated in the round of 16. Switzerland will continue their European Championship campaign."
"Spalletti must have tried everything he could. He made several substitutions, but Italy never found a way to attack. Even the defense they pride themselves on failed to stop Switzerland."
"The young midfielder Barella is also leaving the European Championship. He has been gaining more and more supporters."
"I watch him play often. He may not be tall or particularly strong, but he shields the ball well and plays like Italy's perpetual-motion machine."
"With El Shaarawy on the left and Chiesa on the right, Italy's attack still ended up looking completely disorganized."
"You could count on one hand the number of times Scamacca entered Switzerland's penalty area throughout the match, never mind scoring."
...
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