The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 356: Defeating the Matador Easily

On June 6, Brazil defeated Uruguay 26- in the semi-finals and successfully entered the Confederations Cup finals.

In another semi-final the next day, Italy and Spain competed in Fortaleza.

The winner among them will face the host country in a decisive battle three days later at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Protests and demonstrations held by people across Brazil continued on June 6.

Unsurprisingly, the area around the semi-final venue also became the "hardest hit area".

Before the game, numerous conflicts broke out between a large number of Brazilian military police and thousands of protesters near the main entrances of Fortaleza Stadium!
Protesters threw stones at law enforcement officers who maintained order, and Brazilian police responded mercilessly with tear gas.

"The game outside is even more exciting than the game on the field..."

This scene was really rare, and Leo couldn't help but shake his head.

I can only hope that it will not affect the progress of the game.

Unfortunately, they were rejected by FIFA, so all members of the Nerazzurri played with their arms wrapped in black gauze.

Naturally, the three midfielders remain the same Barcelona golden combination of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets.

David Thornton advanced to the left baseline and dunked past Arbeloa and sent an overhead pass to the back of the Spanish penalty area.

Three arrows Torres in the center, David Silva and Pedro one on the left and one on the right.

All Spain's starting players are full of fighting spirit.

Leo serves as the attacking midfielder, while Pirlo, Marchisio and De Rossi sit in the midfield.

The two of them were indeed fighting for the ball's landing point just now, but he felt that he didn't touch each other?

Iniesta made the ball, and Pedro's low shot from the edge of the penalty area on the right side missed the far post.

Leo took a corner kick on the right, and Balotelli beat Pique's header in front of the goal.

This time against the bitter host Italy, Spain still played with a starting lineup of 433.

The referee was Howard Webber from England, and he did not see clearly what just happened.

So he patted his butt and got up from the ground, walked to the referee and gave an elbow.

It was as if the other party had taken away something that belonged to them.

Since Bognovo, the former Italy striker who played for Fiorentina and AC Milan, passed away due to illness, the Italian side applied to the organizers to hold a moment of silence for him before the game.

I'm afraid no one can tell, and who among the newcomers can take over the mantle from their hands?

Next year's World Cup may also be their last chance, and it will undoubtedly be helpful to use this Confederations Cup to train.

Abate was injured and absent, with David Thornton and Maggio as the left and right backs, Chiellini and Bonucci as central defenders, and goalkeeper Buffon.

Prandelli still used the same 4312 formation, with Balotelli and Giovinco partnering as a double forward.

Just when Busquets was feeling proud, the Spaniard unexpectedly discovered that Weber's yellow card was directed at him.

In Spain, coach Del Bosque, who led the "golden generation" but failed to win any major championships, has been questioned and is on the verge of dismissal.

The unmarked Maggio dived and headed the ball to the top, but Casillas flew over to get the ball.

Italy and Spain have each other's offense and defense, and the battle in the midfield is very fierce.

So from the beginning of the game, the matadors took the initiative to attack.

In the 2012 European Cup, they again lost to the Azzurri in the final.

How much longer can they play together for the Spanish national team?

Left back Alba, right back Arbeloa, Pique and Ramos partner as central defender, goalkeeper Casillas.

This team, built with Spain's two giant clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona as its core, is undoubtedly star-studded.

Pirlo's curved ball from the outside of the penalty area was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Casillas and then missed the right post.

I don’t know why, whether it’s Spanish players, coaches or fans, every time I encounter Italy, I have a strange feeling.

After a while, referee Howard Webber was ready to take out the cards.

In the 2010 World Cup, they only reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Italy.

In the fourteenth minute, Busquets suddenly fell to the ground with his face covered without any warning.

As long as they defeat Italy, a bright future is waiting for them!

Professor Bu saw through his fingers that Weber was hesitating and did not directly face De Rossi.

In the third minute, Giovinco deftly dodged Ramos' press in the penalty area and passed back.

Weber ignored Professor Bu's performance and communicated with the assistant referee through the intercom.

De Rossi, who was next to him, looked confused. He shrugged and spread his hands.

With outstanding stars and Barcelona's classic passing and control system, it stands to reason that this should not be the case in recent years.

This means that De Rossi just hit him in the face with his elbow.

Seeing Habaib getting older, countless fans of the Bull Legion are looking forward to seeing Spain achieve better results.

Xavi is already thirty-three years old this year, and Iniesta and other contemporaries are no longer young.

Leo was very happy watching this, this guy really got into the act.

Professor Bu didn't want to accept it yet, but fortunately his Spanish teammates pulled him away to stop him from continuing to argue with the referee.

In the 15th minute, Maggio grounded the ball from the right. Balotelli caught the ball, turned around and passed the defender, then pushed with his right foot and missed the far post and out of the baseline.

Two minutes later, Leo passed the ball to the left side of the penalty area, and Giovinco passed the half-high ball to the goal. Casillas struck out in time to resolve the danger.

In the 21st minute, Pirlo made a curve ball from the right, and De Rossi inserted his header in front of the small penalty area and missed the goal.

The Azzurri's successive waves of offensives failed to score a goal, and the game came to Spain's round again.

David Silva broke through the double-team of Italian defenders on the left and moved. Torres headed the ball from the right side of the penalty area. Pedro's powerful volley from the sideline of the penalty area missed the near post.

Then Harvey made a precise pass from the center, and Torres cleverly turned around in the penalty area and dunked past Italian central defender Chiellini!
It's a pity that the last left-footed volley hit the far post.

The first half of the game gradually came to an end, and the score on the field was still zero to zero.

In the 39th minute, Leo dribbled the ball towards Busquets who already had a yellow card.

Professor Bu was willing to tackle and intercept, but after glancing at the referee Weber not far away, he was a little timid.

At the moment when the opponent hesitated, Leo had already deftly completed the acceleration and change of direction and passed by Busquets!
After getting rid of the defense, Leo passed the ball diagonally to the gap on the left without hesitation!

David Thornton quickly followed up with a ground ball pass and swept it to the penalty spot!
Balotelli resisted Ramos' interference and forced a sideways volley to score!

One to zero!

Italy took the lead to break the deadlock on the field! Arbeloa complained to the referee that David Thornton was suspected of being offside, but the assistant referee shook his head repeatedly.

Slow-motion replays also showed that David Thornton was not offside at the moment Leo passed the ball, and Arbeloa was dragged behind the back line.

The referee's decision was correct.

The Matadors seemed to be stunned by Italy's sudden goal and failed to organize an effective counterattack at the end of the first half.

In the 46th minute, Pirlo launched a counterattack. Giovinco received the ball and broke through to the edge of the penalty area and volleyed out of the penalty area but Ramos blocked it!

De Rossi's powerful volley from the outside of the penalty area on the left was blocked by Casillas!

At the end of the first half, Italy temporarily led Spain 1-0.

The supporters of the Bull Legion are also a little frustrated. Why do they seem to have nothing to do every time they encounter Italy in recent years?

However, although Italy is temporarily leading the score, there is also bad news.

That is, Bonucci had some muscle strain and was forced to come off the field. Barzagli came on as a substitute.

Soon the intermission ended and the two sides changed sides to fight again.

Iniesta and Torres worked very well together, but in the end Torres' shot from the left side of the penalty area missed the near post.

Del Bosque also made substitution adjustments. Navas came off the bench to replace David Silva, who had no performance in the game, and Pedro moved to the left.

In the 52nd minute, Harvey made a diagonal pass, and Navas' shot from a small angle on the right side of the penalty area was confiscated by Buffon as he fell to the ground.

Iniesta ran long distance from the left to the front of the penalty area and his volley missed a bit.

The Spanish team, which was lagging behind after the start of the second half, launched a series of attacks, but with little success.

In the 61st minute, De Rossi knocked down Torres with a flying tackle and was given a yellow card by Webb.

Afterwards, Marchisio seemed to have cramps after being kicked down by Arbeloa. He went to the sidelines to receive treatment from the team doctor and then returned to the field.

Three minutes later, the Italian team organized a counterattack, Leo scored the ball, and Maggio knocked back from the right side of the penalty area. Marchisio's shot in front of the goal was blocked by Pique.

Pirlo took a corner kick from the right, and Chiellini jumped high from behind and headed the ball towards the top!
The ball landed on top of the net.

After the start of the second half, Spain and Italy had the same ball possession rates, but the offensive threat was slightly superior to the Azzurri.

Alba passed the ball over the top from the left. Pedro broke into the left side of the penalty area against offside and was blocked by Buffon before he could take off.

As the game time went by, the Bulldogs, who were lagging behind, became more and more anxious.

Del Bosque made another substitution, and Juan Mata came on instead of Pedro.

Then Torres was also replaced by Villa.

Accordingly, Prandelli replaced Pirlo with Aquilani and ordered the players on the field to strengthen defense.

In the 83rd minute, Villa's personal breakthrough with the ball in the middle was met by the Italian defender and he could only poke the ball to the right side of the penalty area.

Navas quickly knocked back in the middle, and Pique's powerful volley in front of the goal went over the crossbar!
In the 89th minute, Navas kicked the ball down the right wing. Mata stopped the ball from behind and knocked it horizontally. Xavi turned around in the small penalty area and shot a volley, but Chiellini blocked it and slowed him down!
Buffon got the ball steadily.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Maggio made a pass from the right. Aquilani shot from inside the penalty area. Balotelli should have been called for offside when he made a forward pass.

Leo came off the field amid cheers and applause from the fans, and Montolivo was replaced.

Both teams have used up their substitution quotas and the game is coming to an end.

In the sweltering heat of Fortaleza, both players were approaching their physical limits at this time.

But the Bullfighting Legion is not willing to give up yet!

Harvey took a corner kick, and Pique hit Chiellini's body in the penalty area and bounced back. The Spaniard wanted a penalty kick, but referee Weber was unmoved at all.

Ramos' shot in front of the goal missed the baseline.

At the end of the game, Italy defeated Spain 1-0 to advance to the Confederations Cup finals!
“We performed very well today and the boys created a lot of scoring chances.

The Spanish system is very mature and we are building a great team, but there is still room for improvement.

There was a period of time in the first half when Spain's offensive was quite fierce, but as the game progressed, we gradually got better and deserved the final victory.

We dedicate this performance to Bognovo and his family, who showed extraordinary courage in the face of his fate. "

Prandelli has already won a European Cup since taking office, so there should be nothing wrong with winning another Confederations Cup.

"Thank you everyone, I'm very happy that we can reach the finals and meet the host Brazil!

We all know that Spain is a very powerful opponent.

They performed very well today and Casillas was like an insurmountable barrier.

Fortunately, we seized an opportunity and struck a fatal blow.

Now I think what we need most is to rest before heading to Maracana for the final battle.

champion? That's why we're here, to beat Brazil and win the trophy. "

"I'm disappointed with the result.

Originally we were full of confidence today because the Spanish team in the 2012 European Cup final did not reflect our true strength.

Our performance in this semi-final was even higher than expected. There were several scoring opportunities that our players failed to grasp.

If I were to pick a winner tonight, I think it would be Spain. "

Del Bosque seemed a little frustrated when being interviewed by reporters. He took over the Toros after Spain won the European Cup in 08.

But it has been five years and he has not achieved any honors.

Spanish national team captain Casillas also expressed regret for the team's defeat.

"This result is very disappointing, we had a great performance against the world champions but fate played tricks on us again.

Now we have to go all out to compete for third place in the Confederations Cup.

We played better than Italy in certain periods today and I didn't take a chance to score, which is really a pity. "

Casillas' performance in today's game was actually beyond reproach. He saved the Italian team's must-goals many times, and his final score of 8.2 proved this once again.

On July 7, the peak showdown between Brazil and Italy is about to begin.

The two teams had fought back and forth in the group stage before, and in the end, the host Brazil team was slightly better.

When it comes to the final, there is no doubt that it will be another earth-shattering battle!

In yesterday's third-place final, Spain and Uruguay fought to a 2-2 draw, and finally narrowly defeated their opponents with penalty kicks to win third place in this Confederations Cup.

Fans from Brazil and around the world are flocking to Rio de Janeiro, eagerly awaiting the final final of this Confederations Cup.

(End of this chapter)