After the game against Southampton, the team trained for half a day and then went their separate ways.

Guardiola found Zhao Gang and took him to his office.

The two sat face to face. Guardiola's office was magical, with no windows.

This was his requirement. He needed a closed environment so that no one could disturb him when he was thinking about problems.

And this private office, ordinary people simply had no chance, and no qualification to enter.

Even the team management would not easily risk his displeasure and want to go in and take a look.

It was Zhao Gang's first time coming in, and he was a little flattered.

Guardiola propped his chin with both hands, staring at Zhao Gang. Zhao Gang scratched his head, his eyes darting around.

Damn, did he get caught secretly drinking soda?

This was all Aguero's fault. He instigated it, saying that it was exciting to secretly violate the rules during training!

Zhao Gang, together with Aguero, pulled in De Bruyne and Sterling, and the four of them hid it from Guardiola and each drank a large bottle.

It wasn't necessarily delicious, but it was indeed exciting!

It seemed that Aguero had done it often before.

"We have received an official application from the Chinese Football Association regarding your departure to participate in the World Cup qualifiers. When were you planning to tell me?"

Guardiola finally spoke first.

Zhao Gang suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. So that's what it was. He thought someone had snitched about the cola!

Half a month ago, Lippi also served as the national team coach. At that time, Lippi obtained Zhao Gang's contact information through some connections.

He hoped that he could join the Chinese national team.

The two talked about a lot of things, and the old man Lippi still had some tricks up his sleeve.

"The foundation of Chinese players is very poor, their character is not disciplined enough, and their competitiveness is insufficient. It is impossible to imitate the unity and tactics of Europe, and it is even more impossible to play the smooth and gorgeous style of South America, but we can find a core player, and all the tactics will revolve around him. He will be the absolute core of the team. In the team, besides me, it is him.

The team's assistant coach will not say even a word of criticism or correction to him, because no one except me has that qualification, has that ability.

He can kick any player out of the national team. This is the power that the Football Association has given me, and I will give this power to him.

I think you are the most suitable candidate.

Entering the national team, we will break out of Asia and fulfill the dreams of Chinese football for more than ten years.

Chinese football has been silent for too long. He needs you, the fans need you, and I need you."

Lippi gave him enormous power, a power that even the previous national team coach Gao Bo did not have.

This was likely one of the conditions for Lippi's appointment as the national team coach, a concession made by the Football Association due to public opinion and pressure from all sides.

This gave Lippi enormous control over the national team.

Of course, there was definitely a premise, and that was performance.

Zhao Gang said at the time that he needed to consider it, but after hanging up the phone, his mind went blank for a short time, and his hands were not very obedient.

This should be his biggest dream.

A dream that was far bigger than any Premier League title or Champions League title.

Every time he recalled the fans roaring, "rnrn/"

Guardiola nodded. "This is your pride. I have not seen it, I have not experienced it, but I respect you very much, and I also respect your choice.

I believe that you will be as dazzling as those predecessors and will be able to inspire an entire generation, or even several generations."

…

Before the second leg against Real Madrid, the media was filled with predictions again.

Similar to the situation before the first game, Manchester City was not favored.

Aguero's invisibility and the problems with the defense were all criticized.

"Manchester City has achieved ten consecutive victories since the start of the Premier League season. Their dominance in the Premier League is almost unmatched by any team. And their only draw this season was in the away game against the Bernabeu. From that game, it can be seen that there are still some gaps between Manchester City and the top European giants.

If it wasn't for Zhao's outstanding performance, they would have likely been defeated at the Bernabeu. This time, it is the second encounter between the two sides this season. Manchester City will welcome Real Madrid's challenge at home. A real clash of the titans is about to erupt!"

"Manchester City's defense is still a bit thin when facing the BBC combination. The speed of Real Madrid's front line is the best in the world. In the last game, apart from the center, the two wings were simply a disaster. In this game, Real Madrid will definitely seize the two wings and continue to attack. We hope to see changes from Manchester City."

"If Aguero still can't stand up, and Real Madrid finds a way to limit Zhao, Manchester City will become very difficult.

Manchester City's front line and defense are actually worse than Real Madrid, and only the midfield can barely compete.

Zhao's performance should be the only x factor. In the last game, he was able to lead Manchester City to retreat from the brink of despair. This time at home, will he erupt with even stronger combat power? We'll wait and see!"

"Ronaldo said in an interview that he is eager to challenge, eager to play against excellent players, and he also believes that the current Manchester City and the current Zhao cannot defeat Real Madrid.

He will make Zhao understand in this game what kind of performance can be called a world-class player!"

"Ramos claimed that he has found a way to defend Zhao, and he will let Zhao know how powerful Real Madrid really is. I hope Ramos doesn't become like his national team teammate Pique, who was seen through by 'La'."

The Chinese fans were overjoyed because the first game between Manchester City and Real Madrid had already shown them Zhao Gang's god-like performance.

They were worried before the game that Zhao Gang would perform abnormally and get lost in Real Madrid's defense, but the final result shocked and gratified them.

So in this game, they firmly believed that Zhao Gang would deliver his best performance!

"Brothers, Arctic shrimp and beer, tonight we're watching Zhao Gang!"

"Can't wait, Casemiro falls, Casemiro falls and then Ramos falls, today Zhao Gang will definitely knock Ramos down again!!!"

"If Ramos doesn't want to fall, he can only be seen through by 'La', just watch Zhao Gang break through!!"

"Hee hee hee, night shift today, making money while watching stars worth billions or tens of billions perform, so good..."

"I hope Manchester City can hold on, don't let the midfield and frontcourt wipe the butts of the backcourt, the frontcourt scores like crazy, and the backcourt loses goals..."