While heading to Iran for the final World Cup qualifier of this stage, Zhao Gang saw a logistics team of nearly two hundred people.

　　Besides having a dedicated chef, there were six cleaning staff just for doing laundry.

　　Boarding the plane along with the players and team leaders were four shapely, masked young women carrying designer bags and dressed in fashionable clothes. It was unclear exactly what they were responsible for, but they certainly weren't logistics personnel.

　　To avoid affecting the players' condition, family members weren't allowed to come. Since they weren't family members of the players, they must have been family members of some leader. Zhao Gang wasn't interested in asking about such gossip.

　　Judging by their age, they definitely weren't the leaders' wives, but rather specialists for easing the leaders' emotions and solving their personal problems.

　　These days, Zhao Gang had gained some understanding of this system, and some of the things he learned were baffling.

　　He had been thinking about whether or not to continue down this path.

　　It was much more difficult than he had imagined.

　　He was worried that he wouldn't be able to hold back and would end up arguing with some high-ranking leader.

　　His performance had been significantly affected as a result. He worked diligently and gave his all to win the game, but as Zheng Zhi said, his efforts were all for the benefit of others.

　　While he was working tirelessly, those people were taking logistics teams, spending funds, and taking women from who-knows-where on vacation abroad.

　　Any normal person would feel extremely unbalanced by this kind of thing.

　　Fans spent their savings, traveled thousands of miles, and endured hardships to come to a foreign country.

　　They overcame so many difficulties and paid so much for their love, just to cheer for their national team.

　　But the leaders of this team were spending taxpayers' money, leisurely taking a group of logistics personnel and going on vacation.

　　Zhao Gang walked onto the field, and seeing those Chinese people in the away section waving flags and cheering excitedly, he felt particularly uncomfortable.

　　Ao Li had also come, having paid for her own plane ticket.

　　Zhao Gang felt angry when he saw the leaders supervising from the stands, and even thought about going on strike and refusing to play.

　　But when he saw the fans in the away section with the national flag painted on their faces, jumping and shouting until their voices were hoarse, he had to muster all his energy.

　　Especially some fans who not only came themselves, but also brought their wives and children, with the children riding on their fathers' shoulders, wearing number 18 jerseys and waving miniature flags with all their might.

　　Even a single glance would make Zhao Gang feel that if he slacked off even a little, he would be letting down these lovely fans.

　　He would be letting down the children who regarded him as an idol and role model.

　　Zhao Gang cursed under his breath while trying his best to play the game.

　　Several leaders in the stands openly brought women who weren't their family members, and now they were sitting there, looking serious and solemn, as if they really cared about the team's performance.

　　Well, they did care, not because of national pride, but because of their own resumes and positions within the system.

　　Lippi stood on the sidelines, constantly reminding the players not to make mistakes.

　　The Iranian team was extremely resilient defensively, conceding the fewest goals in the entire group, only two in six games.

　　With four wins and two draws, two of which were goalless, their defensive ability was evident. Of course, their offense wasn't particularly strong either.

　　The tactical idea for this game was to focus on defense and try to control the ball as much as possible.

　　Iran was also a defensive counter-attacking team that didn't like to control the ball.

　　As a result, the offensive scenes from both sides were extremely ugly, and there were no threatening attacks in the entire first half.

　　They adopted a five-midfielder tactic to prevent Zhao Gang from approaching the dangerous area with the ball. Even if they had to use fouls, they would never let Zhao Gang accelerate and rush past.

　　With this tactic, Zhao Gang would attract most of the defenders. As long as the rest of the Dragon team could step up and launch a few effective attacks, they could cause Iran to collapse.

　　Unfortunately, the Dragon team wasn't Manchester City, and the individual attacking ability of its players was too poor.

　　After they cheered up and showed some fighting spirit, they could counter-attack and defend, but they just couldn't create any good attacks.

　　There was no way around it. In this situation, it was impossible for Zhao Gang alone to make up for it.

　　Unless the entire Iranian team attacked and the Dragon team had a chance to counter-attack, it would be difficult for Zhao Gang to break through the defense on his own.

　　Iran's tactics didn't involve large-scale attacks. Winning, drawing, or even losing this game wouldn't have a big impact on them.

　　They didn't need to desperately attack and give the Dragon team, and Zhao Gang, a chance to counter-attack.

　　The two sides exchanged possession frequently in midfield. What frustrated Zhao Gang was that even when Iran had a chance to attack, they wouldn't press forward instantly. They would only let two forwards and two midfielders try to launch an attack.

　　They were extremely cautious and steady.

　　In the second half, Lippi adjusted the tactics and directly put Zhao Gang at the front, acting as a lone striker.

　　Of course, Zhao Gang was capable of playing this position.

　　The problem was that no one could supply him with ammunition. He kept running between Iran's three defenders, but he couldn't receive a pass from his teammates.

　　Helplessly, he could only become a withdrawn center forward like Giroud.

　　But even when the Dragon team's two wingers received his passes, it was difficult for them to continue to break through and create a good attacking threat.

　　They could only keep passing the ball back to Zhao Gang.

　　Throughout the entire game, Zhao Gang tried two long-range shots, but they were both saved by the goalkeeper.

　　Wu Lei's shot went high, Huang Bowen's shot went wide, and Zhang Linpeng's header was saved by the goalkeeper.

　　None of the Dragon team's shots posed much of a threat.

　　Iran was even worse. This team, which was currently first in the group and almost certain to finish first in the group, only had three shots in the entire game, and none of them were shots from inside the penalty area.

　　Both sides fought until they were physically exhausted. After eighty minutes, Iran replaced three players in a row, forming a four-defender line, without replacing a single forward.

　　They were determined to defend with their lives.

　　In their own home stadium, an Asian top-tier team acted like a tortoise, refusing to attack.

　　If the Dragon team had more reliable attacking points, this kind of shrinking defense would have been broken long ago.

　　Like Manchester City's opponents, a defensive turtle strategy wouldn't guarantee them a draw.

　　Unfortunately, there was no comparison between the Dragon team and Manchester City.

　　Even though Zhao Gang tried several times to break through, he found it difficult to get a chance under the multiple defenders.

　　Zhao Gang played from attacking midfielder to winger, and then to the center forward position.

　　He ran all over the midfield and forward areas, and was exhausted, but he couldn't break through the Iranian team's goal.

　　In the end, the two sides played to a goalless draw in this World Cup qualifier.

　　Zhao Gang was very dissatisfied and helpless with this result.

　　His teammates were very content. They thought it was already very difficult to be able to tie the first-place team in the group.

　　Zhao Gang looked at their smiles and really wanted to slap them.

　　Iran didn't even launch a large-scale attack. Did they really think they defended well?

　　The leaders in the stands applauded the excellent performance of their players. This was too strong.

　　Facing the top two teams in the group, two of the top teams in Asia, and achieving a record of one draw and one win, this was definitely beyond expectations!

　　The media would frantically analyze this result, believing that the Dragon team was now united and, under Lippi's leadership, had a high chance of breaking out of Asia after more than ten years.

　　The fans cheered and blindly supported the national football team.

　　As the Dragon team's record improved, it could also stimulate the market and bring huge economic benefits.

　　It was simply a great result to celebrate across the land.

　　All of this was due to the love and strong support of the relevant leaders, which led to today's great situation!

　　Without the support of the leaders and relevant departments, where would you have the opportunity to play on the field, win glory for the country, and achieve the current situation?

　　Therefore, in the final analysis, the excellent results were all thanks to the leaders.

　　If the results weren't good? Then it must be the fault of the head coach and the players.

　　Zhao Gang had the honor of listening to Brother Tiezi's (nickname) periodic summary. The leaders were beaming and clapping non-stop, and the reporters were snapping photos.

　　All the speeches were thanking the leaders.

　　They even had to brag about the leaders' selection of the coaching staff and the promotion of the players.

　　If it weren't for the discerning eyes of the leaders, how could such a strong national team be assembled?

　　If it weren't for the leaders, where would these players have the opportunity to shine?

　　The more Zhao Gang listened, the more depressed he became, not only because of these high-sounding flatteries, but also because these words were actually true.

　　Without these people, even if you had the ability, you wouldn't be able to enter the national team.

　　Even if Zhao Gang's performance was god-like, he had never received an invitation from the national team.

　　If Lippi hadn't obtained enough power, and if the Football Association hadn't really been unable to withstand the pressure from all sides, Zhao Gang really wouldn't have been able to enter the national team.

　　Zhao Gang slowly sighed, shook his head, and listened to the applause around him. He also raised his hand and clapped hard, until his hands were red.

　　Therefore, the players' efforts were not worth mentioning.

　　Therefore, it was no wonder that those players didn't put in their full effort before.

　　If hard work and effort didn't get you what you deserved, then why bother to work hard?

　　After the first summary meeting, there were two internal commendation meetings. Those leaders who hadn't played on the field were now full of energy.

　　Just like the listless old men and women on the bus who were about to run out of energy, they transformed into Wong Fei-hung of Foshan when it came to grabbing eggs, becoming extremely fierce.

　　Zhao Gang couldn't stand it any longer. He had to return to England. The Premier League game was starting in three days.

　　Zhao Gang took one last look at the imposing and dignified leader on the stage. You'll be going in in six years. I hope this timeline can be faster.

　　That was the only way to comfort himself.

　　Zhao Gang took a flight with Ao Li that night, just like Grandpa Lippi in the original timeline, who threw away his ten million euro salary after the Asian Cup and ran away on a plane.

　　Zhao Gang fell into deep thought again on the plane. This time, he was thinking about whether, if he joined the national team and the results were very good, and he changed history in the future, would those people still go in like before?

　　If they didn't go in, wouldn't that be a bad thing?

　　He really wanted to share these things with Ao Li, but he couldn't say it.

　　It might not be a good thing for her to hear it, especially how would he explain the matter of time travel?

　　"You didn't celebrate with your teammates, and you still look so heavy. Are you worried that the Dragon team can't qualify?" Ao Li's gentle voice came. Zhao Gang grabbed her small hand. No matter what, no matter what worries he had, Ao Li would always use her tenderness to help him and comfort him.

　　It was so good to have a girlfriend.

　　Or rather, it was so good to have a sensible girlfriend.

　　"It's not about that, it's something else."

　　Zhao Gang briefly told Ao Li about the customs and culture of Dragon Country, and some of the systems in Dragon Country.

　　Especially, everything he did would eventually become a ladder for those people he hated, helping them climb higher.

　　"Well, that's really infuriating!" Ao Li gritted her teeth and opened her eyes wide. "Then you should quit! Don't help them!"

　　Before Zhao Gang could speak, Ao Li put on a pitiful look again, pouting her pretty little mouth, "But what about so many lovely fans? Many of them only go to see the games because of you. They wear your jerseys, beat drums, and sing songs.

　t you see the way they call your name, the way they look when you score?

　　They seem to have lost all their worries and become the happiest people in the world.

　　What you do allows so many people with ordinary lives to find passion, and so many people burdened by trivial matters to find happiness.

　　You think what you do will allow some bad people to succeed, but if you give up your dreams, give up those who love you, those who have hope and happiness for football because of you, then you will become that bad person."

　　"You are my hero, and you will become their hero."

　　"Right?" Ao Li stretched out her small hand and gently rubbed Zhao Gang's face, her eyes full of affection.

　　Zhao Gang didn't speak, and reached out to hug Ao Li in his arms.

　　Back in England, Manchester City.

　　Zhao Gang thanked Ao Li properly.

　　Even though he had traveled a long distance and was very tired, Zhao Gang was fortunate to have excellent skills and outstanding dribbling ability thanks to his training.

　　Even if his stamina wasn't very good, he could make up for it with his very exceptional skills.

　　……

　　When Zhao Gang returned to the training ground again, his condition was really not very good. Two World Cup qualifiers, plus Ao Li's private extra games, had made his legs and feet a little inflexible.

　　He probably wouldn't be able to play in the first league game after his return.

　　In this state, he would probably be useless after a single confrontation.

　　Zhao Gang also didn't travel with the team for the away league game. Guardiola was heartbroken after watching the Dragon team's two games.

　　Zhao Gang was simply being used as a donkey by Lippi on the field, and he was repeatedly fouled and knocked to the ground by Iranian players. Guardiola felt distressed just watching it.

　　This time, he had to rest well.

　　After this round of league games, there was also the FA Cup against Chelsea and the Champions League against Juventus. Compared to the already sure league title, the FA Cup and the Champions League were more important.