"Leo Lin's control and dribbling through the middle are making things extremely uncomfortable for England."
"They cannot win the ball back. Not one-on-one, and even two-on-one is very difficult. And once they commit two players to him, it opens up more space for his teammates."
"If they cannot win the ball, they cannot push forward. England's attacking rhythm has been completely disrupted."
Derek Rae saw it clearly. With his experience, even the smallest shifts on the pitch did not escape him.
The remaining minutes ticked away, and the referee blew for halftime. Both teams headed back to the dressing rooms.
Leo Lin walked calmly, with Sergio Ramos on his left and Diego Costa on his right.
Both of them naturally gravitated toward him. It was not deliberate. It just happened.
The Spain players kept talking among themselves as they walked. In contrast, when the cameras cut to England, most of their players were silent, heading back without communication.
"On a stage like the World Cup, the worst thing you can do is play in silence."
"When players stop communicating, the connection breaks down. It makes the game much harder."
"Now England are the ones in trouble. After falling behind, their earlier advantage is fading, while Spain's momentum is rising!"
If Casillas were to rate Spain's first half out of ten, he would give them eleven. The extra point was simply because he was too proud.
"The whole team has been excellent. Carvajal has played his best 45 minutes in a major tournament."
"Sergio Ramos was a wall at the back and scored as well. A perfect performance."
"And Lin goes without saying. One goal, one assist, and total control of the tempo. He has also helped neutralize England's diamond press."
"Alba became even more dangerous once he started pushing forward. Thiago's long passing is as precise as Pirlo's in his prime."
"And when Busquets turns and Spain switch from defense to attack, it is simply beautiful."
Casillas leaned back, crossed his legs, and hummed happily.
In the dressing room, after outlining the tactical adjustments, Hierro pulled Leo Lin aside.
He was about to give him an even bigger role.
In the second half, he wanted Leo Lin to deliver a massive, overwhelming surprise to England.
"Are you ready?"
"Show them something special. Let them see a lost art of football. The attacking midfielder playing deep!"
Yes, the system that once shocked the football world, pioneered by Pirlo, was about to return.
But Hierro had improved it. He would not copy it directly. He would upgrade it using Leo Lin's strengths.
On the other side, England continued to emphasize their diamond press. Southgate believed it was the key to breaking Spain.
"We played well in the first half. Very well."
"But we need more in the second."
"When we attack, Kyle Walker pushes up. Then you drop into defensive midfield and form a double pivot with Henderson. That gives us better distribution to both wings."
"As soon as the ball goes wide, push forward immediately. Look for quick one-twos with the center. Increase the tempo."
"Add more crosses. Use Kane's aerial strength."
"Listen. This is the World Cup."
"We have 45 minutes left. If you want to be champions, you must perform like champions!"
"Come on!"
"Fight until the very last second!"
Southgate gathered the players together.
"England!"
"Win!"
...
"England press again, but Spain's shape at the back has changed."
"You can clearly see Leo Lin now positioned just in front of the defensive line. He is the deepest midfielder."
"De Gea plays it short. As expected, he finds Leo Lin."
"Control, turn. Leo Lin uses a clever heel touch to beat Alli's press, moving toward the right and guiding the attack."
"A direct pass out wide. Carvajal receives on the flank. Spain play out from the back successfully!"
As soon as Carvajal got the ball, Leo Lin gestured to him to go long.
Carvajal immediately clipped a pass over the top into the attacking third.
David Silva moved wide to receive and instantly played it inside.
Leo Lin, who had just been sitting deep, had already surged forward.
He collected the pass and sliced straight through England's diamond midfield like a blade.
Thiago pushed up into position.
At the edge of the box, Henderson suddenly found himself outnumbered.
"Pass!" Leo Lin laid it off to Thiago.
"Pass!" Thiago lifted a ball over the top, targeting the space behind Maguire.
Leo Lin surged forward, met the pass, and drove a powerful ball across the face of goal!
Diego Costa lunged in with a sliding finish.
Missed by a fraction.
Asensio slid in at the far post as well.
Also just short.
Two Spain players sliding in, while Trippier and Kyle Walker both threw themselves in to clear. Four players, all sliding, and none made contact.
Leo Lin clapped in frustration.
Casillas spoke up.
"The pass was just a little too strong. Or rather, it was played at Lin's own speed."
"If there were two Lins on the pitch. One passing, one finishing. That would be a goal."
Gullit stared at him.
"What?"
"That works too?"
"Casillas, you are really pushing it just to praise Lin."
Casillas lifted his chin proudly.
"You should learn."
Even though England had not conceded, Southgate knew the danger.
Leo Lin's sudden change in role was creating more and more chances.
If they did not adjust, conceding was inevitable.
56th minute!
"Leo Lin again. Dropping deep in front of the defense to control the game."
"He turns. Looks to break forward."
"Lingard pulls him down. He has to do it!"
"If Leo Lin escapes from deep, England will face another wave of attack!"
Derek Rae caught it immediately.
"This looks like Pirlo's role back in the day. But not exactly the same."
"It feels like…"
"An upgraded version?"
Even he hesitated.
Pirlo's deep-lying playmaker role was already revolutionary.
And now, someone had taken it further.
But that was exactly what was happening.
England were overwhelmed.
Leo Lin, with the presence of a true leader, dismantled the diamond press.
Possession regained.
Control regained.
Complete dominance.
The deep-lying playmaker Plus version.
Has arrived!
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (60 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.