[According to Hierro, every player in Spain's new generation has accepted Leo Lin's leadership and is willing to listen to his advice.]
[Young Spanish midfielder Pedri is expected to become the new partner of Rodri and Leo Lin!]
[Many Spain supporters are concerned about whether the young Pedri can link up effectively with Leo Lin.]
The remarkably young Pedri reminded Leo Lin of himself three years earlier.
Leo Lin had made his senior international debut against Italy in the qualifiers three years ago. Pedri was now the same age Leo Lin had been then, and his style also resembled the way Leo Lin had played at the time.
Pedri admired Leo Lin enormously. The similarities in their styles came from years of watching Leo Lin play and unconsciously imitating him until those habits gradually developed into a style of his own.
After the incident in training, Ferran Torres brought several players to speak with Leo Lin.
Ferran Torres had been Leo Lin's teammate at the U-17 World Cup, and he wanted to make it clear that he had meant no disrespect.
"Leo, I'm sorry about everything that happened in training today. We still haven't fully adjusted to life in the national team."
"I promise we'll quickly match the rest of you in training from now on."
Leo Lin spoke with the group and did not blame Ferran Torres. He was new to the senior national team, but there were still many things he needed to be more mindful of.
The opening round of the European Championship group stage was fast approaching, with Spain set to face Sweden. Like Spain, the Swedish squad also contained many new players.
Scholes remained part of the commentary team for the European Championship, but his new partners were Stam and Tony Adams.
"The European Championship we've all been waiting for is finally about to begin!"
"The opening group match sees Sweden face Spain. They're the two teams most widely expected to qualify from this group, but both squads contain plenty of young players!"
"Let's begin with Sweden's center forward, Isak, who is probably the biggest name in their current squad."
"He may look slightly built, but he's actually strong in physical duels. Sweden also have Forsberg and Larsson on the flanks."
"Forsberg can play in several positions, but Sweden have chosen to use him as a left winger in this squad!"
"At center back, they'll probably be relying heavily on Lindelöf. The Manchester United defender hasn't performed particularly well for his club, but he has been much better for the national team!"
Stam was certain Spain would win.
"Spain have brought in plenty of new players too, but I still believe they can beat Sweden."
"The first thing to look at is their midfield, which has been completely rebuilt. The familiar Spanish midfield trio are all gone. Busquets made the final squad, but Hierro has already said he won't be a starter!"
"I believe Spain's starting midfield three will be Rodri, Pedri, and Leo Lin."
"Pedri has become an important midfielder since earning his call-up, and he has also been excellent for Barcelona!"
"He can deliver beautiful passes, he defends well, and he covers a huge amount of ground. With Pedri partnering Leo Lin and Rodri playing as the defensive midfielder, Spain may have the strongest midfield at this European Championship!"
Stam and Tony Adams shared the same view.
On July 12, the day of the opening group match, Spain soon announced their starting lineup.
Stam and Tony Adams saw the exact midfield they had predicted, along with a completely transformed Spanish starting eleven. Even De Gea had lost his place in goal.
"This Spain lineup has really surprised me."
"First of all, they have a completely new center-back pairing in Laporte and Pau Torres."
"In goal, De Gea has been replaced by Unai Simón!"
"He came through the system in Bilbao and still plays there now!"
"Hierro must value his passing ability, which is probably why he has chosen him ahead of De Gea!"
"Alba remains at left back."
"At right back, Spain have selected Llorente, one of Atlético de Madrid's most talked-about players."
"He was originally a midfielder, but since moving to right back, he has performed even better than he did in midfield. Some people are now comparing him with the three best right backs in world football!"
"Olmo starts on the left wing, Oyarzabal on the right, and Morata at center forward. The attack may still look a little young, but with the support of their midfield and defense, I believe Spain will remain a major goal threat."
Scholes brought up Sweden's starting lineup, which was also largely as expected.
"Sweden's lineup is fairly easy to predict because they don't have many outstanding options in each position."
"Goalkeeper: Olsen."
"Defenders: Augustinsson, Danielson, Lindelöf, and Lustig."
"Midfielders: Forsberg, Ekdal, Kristoffer Olsson, and Sebastian Larsson."
"Forwards: Isak and Berg!"
Leo Lin was walking onto the pitch, and the Swedish players were all watching him. Many of Sweden's younger players were fans of his, including Isak.
Two days earlier, Isak had already started thinking about asking Leo Lin to swap shirts after the match. The thought had stayed with him right up until kickoff.
"Win the World Cup, then win the European Championship. That's Spain's proven path to glory!"
"The players who won the World Cup are almost all gone now. This European Championship belongs to England!"
"Don't forget that Leo Lin is still there. He was the key to Spain winning the World Cup, and he'll be the key to them winning the European Championship too!"
A tournament like the European Championship never struggled for viewers. By the time the major broadcasts were packed with fans, the match was ready to begin.
"The 2020 European Championship group stage. Spain against Sweden. We're underway!"
"Isak lays it back, then Sweden switch play diagonally toward Forsberg. They like using this passing pattern to create opportunities for Forsberg and Isak!"
Forsberg received the ball and passed to Isak. Isak took a touch to shift it past his man, then shot under pressure from Laporte.
Laporte and Pau Torres closed down the shot together.
Pedri collected the rebound, turned quickly, and sent a curling, lofted pass toward Olmo.
Olmo adjusted his position, then adjusted again. Even when Leo Lin arrived beside him, ready to receive the ball, Olmo remained focused on setting himself.
"Pass!"
Leo Lin called out immediately, and Olmo finally played the ball across.
Leo Lin met it with a first-time volley.
Lindelöf stretched out a leg and deflected it behind, earning Spain a corner.
The young Olmo was clearly nervous in his first European Championship match. Making his senior international debut in the tournament itself, he had even wondered whether he was truly ready.
Leo Lin, who had just shouted at him, jogged over and said,
"Good pass. Take fewer touches next time. Keep going!"
It was only a simple sentence, but Olmo suddenly felt strength surge through his entire body.