Chapter 172 Fight! Fight!

When Zhao Gang entered the players' tunnel, he saw Mendy walking towards him.

Norwich's captain was the most trusted defender during Zhao Gang's time at Norwich.

If it hadn't been for him, Zhao Gang's defensive loopholes would have been infinitely magnified.

He was diligent and conscientious, working his tail off in almost every game.

"Hey!!"

"Zhao!!"

The two hugged tightly, their excitement overflowing.

They had shared what was probably the most successful period of Mendy's career.

Mendy never dreamed that he would win the Europa League title so close to retirement.

When the two separated, Mendy didn't forget to greet Fernandinho. They didn't know each other, but acted like old friends.

"Hard work!" Mendy extended his fist, and the two bumped them together. Fernandinho's mouth almost split open with laughter. They were kindred spirits, brothers. He could only imagine how difficult the past season had been for Mendy.

This season, although Zhao Gang's defense was still lacking, he still tried hard. He could be considered one-fifth of a defender. Last season at Norwich, he didn't defend at all, exhausting old Mendy so much that only his teeth were white!

Zhao Gang then greeted the other players, starting with Hilo.

This teammate was quite capable, with a selfish style of play and extreme arrogance. Later, he developed rapidly. After acquiring the ability to pass the ball, he attracted the attention of many strong teams, but he didn't want to be a substitute for a strong team. Norwich also had the Champions League, so he stayed.

"Brother, Carrow Road won't show you any mercy, you must hold on!!"

"Hehe, I don't defend anyway."

"Hahaha..."

The two hugged each other. Hilo noticed that Captain Mendy was chatting with Fernandinho, gesticulating and looking particularly funny.

Those two must have a lot in common.

In the match between Manchester City and Tottenham, the highest-rated players were Zhao Gang and Fernandinho, one attacking and one defending. Zhao Gang was indeed amazing in several moments, but Fernandinho's extremely stable performance throughout the match was also key to the victory. If it had been anyone else, Tottenham, with the referee's help, would have torn Manchester City apart.

In that game, Fernandinho's defensive scenes almost became study material for various teams.

Look, this is what a top defender looks like, one person is a whole area!

He truly achieved the feat of one person being worth three.

He became the benchmark for defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

He fell awkwardly, but his tackling posture was really very dashing.

Wright, Philip, Brian, Hull... After experiencing the Europa League, these players seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. They quickly adapted to the rhythm of the Premier League and were not intimidated by any team.

Zhao Gang finally hugged Feman.

"Thank you, Zhao, you not only saved my career but also saved me." Feman hugged Zhao Gang tightly.

Feman, Norwich's left-back, had made a very serious mistake in the Europa League final, almost leading to Norwich's ruin.

When he was about to lose his way, and Farke was anxiously trying to replace him, Zhao Gang's encouragement helped him regain his confidence and deliver two key passes, reversing the score!

If Farke had replaced him at that time, it would have been a devastating blow to him.

Just like Liverpool goalkeeper Karius's disastrous performance in the Champions League final, Feman would have completely lost confidence, and it would have been difficult for him to gain a foothold on the field in the future.

It can be said that Feman is still able to be a starter for Norwich because of Zhao Gang.

"I don't know what others think, but in my eyes, you are the most outstanding one. You can not only lead the team to victory, but you can also make ordinary teammates better!" Feman was a little excited.

Zhao Gang grinned and said, "You guys weren't ordinary to begin with. No one who can stand on the field is ordinary."

Feman nodded hard, his eyes a little moist.

"See you on the field. I hope you don't show mercy, because I know you. I will defend you so hard that you doubt your life. After this game, your value may only be 50 million pounds!"

"You were beaten by me and started doubting yourself again, lying there secretly crying. This time, there will be no one to comfort you and help you regain your confidence."

"Haha..."

A huge roar erupted at Carrow Road.

The players were preparing to enter the field.

When the Norwich players entered, they were still greeted with extremely warm cheers.

The fans at Carrow Road will always cheer for the players, regardless of their record.

Of course, if the record is bad, their cheers will be followed by loud boos and then abuse, from the players to the coaches to the management.

Love and hate coexist.

When the Manchester City players entered, Carrow Road became quiet, without the usual boos.

When the black-haired teenager that Norwich fans had been eagerly awaiting entered, the whole audience erupted.

Zhao Gang, walking at the end, had just entered the field when the commentator's voice reached its highest pitch.

"The last player to enter... Number 18!!"

The fans throughout Carrow Road were shouting at the top of their lungs!

"Zhao!!!"

Months later, Zhao Gang returned to the place where the miracle began.

It was here that he began his career, in the eyes of the angry Norwich fans, where he started his first game.

This time, it seemed like he had returned to that day, the first time he stood on the field, as if it were yesterday.

Those abusive voices had turned into the most intense and enthusiastic cheers.

Boom...

Carrow Road was like an earthquake, as the fans rhythmically stomped on the stands.

The roaring sound was accompanied by shouts of unity.

This is Carrow Road, Norwich's home, and also the home of Norwich's eternal number 18, Zhao Gang.

A hundred years later, as long as Norwich is still there, Norwich fans will still be there. As long as the fans are still there, the legend of Norwich number 18 will continue.

That legend, like a shooting star, will be passed down from generation to generation.

What Zhao Gang couldn't stand the most was this, the support and enthusiasm of the fans, the massive amount of fans.

He blinked hard and raised his hands.

The cheers became even louder and more intense.

When those fans raised the Norwich number 18 jersey with both hands, the scene was shocking.

"Zhao Gang's time in Norwich was very short, so short that it wasn't even a full season.

But his reputation in Norwich is destined to be very long, so long that it will remain in the memories of Norwich fans for years, decades, or even forever.

He brought Norwich its most glorious moment in history. When these fans who watched Zhao Gang play grow old, they will tell their grandchildren the story of number 18. They will tell their younger generations that the future belongs to the young, but Norwich's glory will always belong to us!"

"In the history of world football, no one would have thought of a Long country player as an idol. Zhao Gang's appearance makes up for this super, super huge shortcoming!

In England, children have already begun to regard Zhao Gang as an idol. Of course, more people in Long country will pay attention to football, and more children will regard Zhao Gang as a role model!

Before long, more people in the world will learn about Long country's football through Zhao Gang!

Norwich and Manchester City fans have already experienced the joy and happiness that Zhao Gang brings.

I wonder when our fans will be able to feel that unique joy."

Jian Lu sighed. The second stage of the top twelve matches was about to begin, but Zhao Gang had still not been selected.

I don't know what went wrong within the Football Association.

Will we really have to wait until Zhao Gang accepts Southgate's invitation and becomes a member of the England team?

The fans sighed as they listened to Jian Lu's words.

Long country's football needs idols and role models.

Basketball produced Yao Ming, making basketball a sport that swept the entire country.

In football, apart from the fans who really care about national football, how many can name the members of the national team?

Most fans know fewer Long country national team players than they know European and South American national team players!

This is really terrible.

Can we blame the fans?

No, we can only blame Long country's football players for being too bad.

Not only are they bad, but they also don't think about making progress.

Not only do they not think about making progress, but they are also lazy and gluttonous.

Not only are they lazy and gluttonous, but they are also shameless!

"Foreign fans are cheering for Zhao Gang!"

"And they're away fans!"

"How could we even imagine this!"

"He will definitely become a role model for a generation, or even two generations. He is only nineteen years old! He still has more than ten years of his career ahead of him!"

"Go Zhao Gang!"

"Go!"

"Go!!"

On the field, the players took their positions. The referee blew the whistle, and the game began!