Chapter 1 Zhao Gang is on the Bench Again?

"Zhao Gang is on the bench again? Does the Norwich coach even understand football?" Inside the Dongqiu Wang (King of Understanding Football) livestream in Dragon Country, a large number of fans were waiting for Zhao Gang.

But he's on the bench again?

"Farke has rotated nine players for the Europa League match against Manchester United. Except for the goalkeeper and Ospina, the rest of the starting lineup are substitutes. But he should give Zhao Gang some time to find his rhythm," the commentator explained. Too many fans weren't even watching the football itself, they were just watching Zhao Gang, their compatriot, waiting for his goals, his performance.

Compared to the team's victory, these people valued Zhao Gang's shining moments.

"Currently, Zhao Gang is indeed the most eye-catching, the most capable, and also the most promising player in Dragon Country football!" Usually, potential and immediate combat strength are inversely proportional. The stronger the immediate combat strength, the lower the potential may be.

But now, compared to domestic players, Zhao Gang is far ahead in terms of age, immediate combat strength, and potential.

Although it was a football live broadcast, the commentators hardly analyzed the situation on the field. Instead, they kept talking about Zhao Gang.

The fans listened with great interest, not thinking that the two commentators were neglecting their duties.

"Recently, the rumors about Zhao Gang's transfer have been rampant. Several Premier League giants, and some clubs that are slightly smaller in scale, have all made offers, hoping to introduce this Dragon Country football player. This should be a first for Dragon Country."

"Yes, to be honest, Dragon Country football players in Europe are basically freebies. It is difficult to even get a chance to come off the bench. Zhao Gang's performance, and the attention that Premier League, and even La Liga and Bundesliga clubs are paying to him, proves that Zhao Gang has indeed gained a foothold in Europe. It won't be long before he should be able to become a main player, even a true core player, for a Premier League giant!"

The Dragon Country commentators kept finding topics about Zhao Gang, while the Norwich game already had a goal!

These Norwich substitutes were indeed a bit weaker, and their experience wasn't great either.

An opposing player dribbled the ball, and three people surrounded him at the same time. A clever lob pass from midfield created a one-on-one opportunity for the striker.

A perfect shot.

0:1!

Twenty minutes into the game, Millwall took the lead.

The Millwall players were very excited!

The current Norwich was simply the most dazzling presence in the Championship.

They had not only achieved an amazing eleven-game winning streak, but also won three consecutive Europa League games, eliminating the Hornets!

Even the substitute lineup winning at Carrow Road was enough for them to cheer!

The goal scorer, Millwall striker, Claire.

Claire seemed a little too excited, and actually rushed towards the Norwich bench, sliding on his knees in front of it.

Several Norwich main players had wooden expressions. They didn't dare to get angry easily, but Farke didn't tolerate it. He roared at the fourth official, asking what this meant.

Scoring a goal and then provoking the bench? If a yellow card isn't given, I'll go sit on the opposing coach's bench in a bit!

A huge boo rang out at Carrow Road. Claire was unmoved, even making a face at Zhao Gang, the meaning was obvious, if you have the ability, come on the field and score! If you have the ability, win!

There are not a few flamboyant players like Claire who love to show off.

Being able to score at Carrow Road now, and being able to show off in front of the popular Zhao Gang, was enough to satisfy his vanity.

If he could stir things up, even better for him!

Zhao Gang shook his head, completely ignoring his provocation.

Scoring a goal and going this crazy?

I didn't even bother with or respond to the childish words from David, the Manchester United director.

You're a Championship player, scoring a goal and provoking me, would I care about you?

When you can score in eleven consecutive games, I might glance at you.

"Hey, this Claire! Scoring a goal and knowing who to show off to, knowing that Zhao Gang's topic traffic is high enough now, and also knowing who the boss of this Norwich team is." The Dragon Country commentators didn't feel angry at Claire's provocation, because they saw Zhao Gang looking at Claire as if he were looking at air.

"Claire's behavior is indeed a bit inappropriate, but look, Zhao Gang completely ignored him, as if he didn't see him at all."

"That's right, the difference in strength, fame, and worth between the two is too great. Zhao Gang even acknowledging him would be an insult to himself!"

The two commentators had never found this feeling in any Dragon Country player before.

Facing European players, Zhao Gang could completely crush the opponent from worth to level!

Farke stood on the sidelines, constantly directing. If his substitute players could hold on and only concede one goal, then he would substitute the main players on for the last ten minutes or so of the second half.

That amount of time wouldn't waste the players' stamina.

If the gap was too big, Farke would prepare to give up completely!

Fortunately, although Norwich's substitutes were a bit weaker in strength and experience, and their coordination wasn't very mature, they were all high in morale. Plus, Millwall's players weren't very good at seizing opportunities.

Until the seventieth minute of the game, the score was only 0:2.

The other goal was scored by Millwall's center-back, Zico.

Zico only celebrated a little, and did not provoke the fans or the Norwich bench.

"We see that Farke is waving to the bench, Zhao Gang is starting to warm up, but Zhao Gang is warming up alone, Farke is not preparing to make a large-scale substitution.

He still intends to give up on the league game, just letting Zhao Gang come on to maintain his form!" Although the Dragon Country commentator didn't understand Farke's choice, as long as Zhao Gang was substituted on, the Dragon Country fans would be happy, and he would be happy too.

Farke told Zhao Gang a few words, and Zhao Gang kept nodding.

"In this game, Xiluofu, who has returned from injury, is struggling. You can clearly see that he wants to get back into shape as soon as possible, and even seems a little impatient with some of his touches. This time, it should be a like-for-like substitution. The camera is also on Xiluofu, and he looks a little unhappy."

Xiluofu, as Norwich's starting forward last season, was originally Norwich's main player, but due to an injury, and during his recovery period, he was squeezed out of his position by Zhao Gang and the well-performing Ospina. Because Ospina and Zhao Gang and Philip's coordination was very tacit, Ospina basically secured the starting position.

And it was even more impossible for Zhao Gang to become a substitute rotation player, so it was still a bit difficult for Xiluofu to regain the starting position.

"Oh? It's not a like-for-like substitution, Zhao Gang is replacing a midfielder, not Xiluofu!" The Dragon Country commentator was a little surprised as he watched the player leaving the field.

Was he going to play with three forwards?

But Zhao Gang and Xiluofu's positions overlap somewhat!

"This formation is more like a 4312? Zhao Gang connecting the midfield and the frontcourt?" The Dragon Country commentator was a little confused.

"Well, it should be a new attempt, because Wright is injured, and the midfield is missing a very strong point, and Zhao Gang showed a wonderful pass when he played against Dortmund, so Farke wants to try letting Zhao Gang connect the attack!" Another commentator, as a professional player evaluator, could see more clearly than the host.

Farke wanted to use this game to test whether Zhao Gang retreating to midfield could create a chemical reaction with the two forwards!

If it could, then using Zhao Gang as a midfielder could maximize the mitigation of Wright's injury's impact.

If Zhao Gang could exist as a free man in the frontcourt, it would greatly improve his own skill growth and the team's tactical richness!