Chapter 1 I'm still looking for Zhao Gang, and the ball went in?

“Oh, my God, this toilet break… wasn’t it just the beginning?”

“Hehehe, the commentators are so professional…” Inside the Gugu live broadcast room, countless fans, besides being excited and happy, were either shouting "Zhao Gang is awesome!" or making fun of Shen Jian.

Shen Jian's tone was just inexplicably funny.

He was seriously preparing to introduce Manchester United's starting lineup, but this sudden turn of events clearly caught him off guard. He hastily recited the commentary he had prepared in advance, making it feel a bit abrupt.

“Zhao!! Zhao!!”

“Hillo!!!”

Carrow Road erupted in earth-shattering cheers, the fans overjoyed.

No one would have imagined such a start, so easily breaking through Manchester United's defense, an English Premier League-level defense!

Luke Shaw and Valencia hadn't even reacted yet; only Blind was chasing after Hillo!

Before the match, even Norwich's local media didn't dare predict a win against Manchester United.

The entire English media overwhelmingly favored Manchester United to take the victory without much effort!

Even the fans didn't dare to have too much hope.

Of course, some fans still had unwavering faith in their home team.

Borussia Dortmund had already suffered a setback. Although Dortmund didn't go all out in that game, they still fielded their full squad.

How could a somewhat struggling Manchester United be that much better than Dortmund?

"Score another one, score another one!!!" The fans in the stands, holding their jerseys, were shouting wildly.

Hillo hugged his surrounding teammates. After a brief celebration, he kept encouraging them, "Defend! Beat Manchester United, and we're fourth in the Premier League!!!"

The current Manchester United, although facing some difficulties, could still secure fourth place.

All the players immediately returned to their positions.

The goalkeeper vigorously kicked the turf, roaring loudly.

Cheering on his teammates.

The Norwich players knew that what followed would be extremely difficult!

Manchester United's defense, having conceded a goal due to a mistake, would definitely be holding in their anger and would defend with their full might.

And facing a Championship team, they absolutely couldn't allow themselves to lose!

Aguero, Di Maria, and Lingard would frantically attack the relatively weaker technical awareness of the team's defense.

Farke, with a serious face, finally came to his senses, seeing Farke's relaxed demeanor.

The old fox wasn't nervous because of the game; he was nervously watching, waiting for the collaboration between Zhao Gang and Hillo.

Good heavens, he'd been tricked!

Van Gaal shouted loudly at Mata, who turned his head. Van Gaal pointed at Zhao Gang, clenched his fist, and waved it forcefully a couple of times.

Not to incite Mata to commit a malicious foul, but to have him do his utmost to limit the kid's passing.

A person of Van Gaal's status hadn't reached the point of urging his players to harm opponents.

Mata nodded and ran to Blind's side. Blind had initially been assigned to assist Luke Shaw in marking Hillo.

Now, the two of them would cooperate with the defense to lock down these two.

As soon as Manchester United kicked off from the center circle, Norwich's formation changed.

With only Hillo remaining up front, Ospina looked more like a tall center-back, and the formation directly became 6-3-1!

This was Farke's tactic. It was almost impossible to defend against Di Maria and Rooney.

But the more players in the backfield, the more legs there were, the less the chance of making mistakes.

Ángel Di María got the ball.

As a former Real Madrid star, Di María had always been a case of ability exceeding reputation.

Except for being slightly weaker in physical duels and stamina, he was top-notch in all other aspects.

Especially his passing and dribbling past opponents.

Not to mention Norwich's players, even Premier League players found it difficult to defend against him.

However, after joining Manchester United, he had some trouble adapting.

His individual ability against Norwich's defenders was like adults playing against children.

He dribbled past the player, easily bypassing the midfield!

Then, with a feint, he skillfully bypassed the defender.

However, Norwich's players were clearly more excited than Manchester United's players.

So, immediately, two players moved to cover again.

Di María passed the ball back, as breaking through again could likely lead to being double-teamed.

As soon as Fellaini received the ball, a player rushed over to directly interfere, even engaging in physical contact.

Fellaini withstood the defender and awkwardly passed the ball back again.

Although they had superior technique and physicality, Norwich's fighting spirit and desire were stronger!

The ball was almost intercepted by another player with a sliding tackle.

Farke squatted half-way on the sidelines again, constantly shouting and instructing his players to defend.

And their performance was indeed good.

Faced with the six-defender bus formation, Manchester United really couldn't find a way through in a short time.

They could only create opportunities by circulating the ball.

While Manchester United were continuously passing the ball around, Rooney finally found an opening. Di María delivered a precise over-the-top ball, and Rooney dove to head it, but the ball ended up in the goalkeeper's arms.

Rooney patted his forehead in frustration, while the crowd erupted in an exclamation.

Norwich's players quickly moved forward, and the goalkeeper's powerful throw found Zhao Gang.

There was a clear opening in front of Zhao Gang, but his speed wasn't particularly strong, and his dribbling ability needed improvement.

And Mata was rushing over from behind at full speed.

Zhao Gang skillfully flicked the ball up, passing it to Hillo in the center.

Hillo's advantage was his speed and dribbling.

Zhao Gang's pass had excellent force and angle, so Hillo didn't need to adjust at all. After receiving the ball, he sprinted forward.

Luke Shaw and Smalling quickly retreated to defend.

Facing these two, Hillo's speed wasn't an advantage. He gritted his teeth, and relying on instinct, flicked the ball outward. Zhao Gang was already in position. As the football flew over, and as Mata was about to interfere, Zhao Gang stretched out his foot, and without stopping the ball, sent it directly behind Smalling. Smalling, with quick eyes and feet, made a beautiful sliding tackle, and the football curved back to Hillo's feet.

What the heck?

Smalling was stunned for a moment. This guy's passing technique?

Interesting!

He had seen through Zhao Gang's pass and had dived to intercept it in advance, but the football had actually made a large arc!

"Oh, Hillo actually passed the ball!" Shen Jian couldn't help but praise. Actually, the implicit meaning was simple: he would only pass to Zhao Gang!

It was impossible to pass to anyone else.

After receiving the ball, Hillo quickly started up. Luke Shaw was constantly applying pressure from behind, while Blind, who had retreated even further back, was retreating while looking for the right moment to make a challenge. Valencia had also run into position. The two of them, sandwiching him, meant Hillo definitely wouldn't get past them with his level!

Hillo turned his head to look at Zhao Gang, who was already sprinting forward with all his might, but he wasn't running as fast as Hillo was dribbling the ball.

A flash of inspiration appeared in Hillo's mind. He pretended to pass to Zhao Gang, but used his ankle to protect the ball.

Sure enough!

Luke Shaw stretched out his foot, kicking Hillo on the foot, and Hillo immediately rolled onto the ground.

Beep!!!

Free kick.

Hillo stood in front of the ball, covering his mouth and communicating with Zhao Gang.

Ospina and Mendi, the two tallest players, had already arrived in the penalty area, preparing to contest the header.

"I don't know what tactics the two of them are discussing. Zhao Gang keeps nodding, looking at the goal. From this position, Zhao Gang can directly shoot at the goal, or he can pass and coordinate with his teammates. In previous games, both of Zhao Gang's choices have resulted in goals!"

"Oh? Hillo has retreated to the edge of the penalty area. Blind has been following Hillo closely. Blind may have seen the previous free-kick cooperation between Zhao Gang and Hillo. Hillo just stood there, and then suddenly ran towards the far post, scoring in one fell swoop!"

"I wonder what Zhao Gang will choose this time?"

De Gea was directing his teammates to form a wall. He vehemently roared at Luke Shaw, who had run over and was standing on the goal line, wanting to fill the gap, to go back and join the wall!!

I am De Gea!

Am I not capable of defending a free kick from a Championship player?

Luke Shaw was a little depressed, running from the goal line to near the wall.

Zhao Gang saw the trajectory and the probability of scoring.

When Luke Shaw was standing on the right side of the goal, the direct scoring probability was only 20%. When he left, it rose to 86%!

Because of the wall, De Gea's position was slightly to the left.

Zhao Gang held up three fingers to the sky.

Blind stared intently at Hillo.

You little rascal, want to steal a chicken?

Don't you even see who I am!

Run-up!

Raise leg!

Shoot!

The wall jumped up at the same time. The football perfectly cleared the wall, moving extremely fast. Luke Shaw jumped into the air, turning his head to follow it.

His face became more and more distorted.

When he landed on the ground, he knelt down directly.

"F**k!!"

Right where he had just been filling the gap!

His head would have been able to knock the ball out!

The football entered the goal from that very position. De Gea was standing there, and when he reacted, it was already too late!

"Goal!!!"

"Beautiful! A direct free-kick goal! Zhao Gang!!" Shen Jian trembled all over along with the goal net.

Perfect arc!

2:0!

Fifteen minutes!

"This free kick! He's treating this free kick like a penalty kick! This is simply Beckham's way of scoring! Fifteen minutes!

Zhao Gang contributes an assist and a goal. Norwich is actually leading 2:0!"

Shen Jian, watching the replay, resisted the urge to bang on the table.

Brook had already picked up the drum from the side.

Rod laughed heartily while handing him the drumsticks.

"Who else???"

The drumming was extremely amateurish, sounding like torture.

"Zhaooo!!!" Brook drew out the sound, drumming, while Rod picked up the gong. The two of them were shouting Zhao Gang's name while playing their instruments with all their might.

No commentary was needed anymore.

Carrow Road was surging with a human wave.

A real human wave!

Throughout the stands, the fans were rhythmically rising and falling, with the standing crowds shouting Zhao Gang's name wildly.

Zhao Gang's name echoed from the southernmost corner, never stopping, until it resonated throughout the entire stadium.

Even without prior practice, when the people in the first row stood up and shouted, the fans in the second row spontaneously rose and sat down.

The scene was a golden ocean, with one wave higher than another, dazzling to the eye.

The happy fans made the Dragon Country fans watching the live broadcast feel a little envious.

"This football atmosphere is really good!"

"Damn, if Zhao Gang played football in Dragon Country, our fans would be even more enthusiastic than this! Isn't it just a human wave?"

"The key is that we don't have the chance to do a human wave!"

"Sigh!"

"Manchester United seems a little dazed? Huh?" Shen Jian, seeing Van Gaal's deep expression on the sidelines, was secretly delighted, but couldn't show it.

After all, he was a professional and couldn't be as spontaneous as Brook, celebrating directly with the fans in the studio.

"Yes, yes, he didn't pay attention at the start, allowing Zhao Gang to connect with Hillo and steal one. Luke Shaw's handling just now was also a little rushed. Hillo was never going to break into the penalty area from that position anyway. I think he was mainly afraid, afraid that Hillo would pass the ball because Zhao Gang was already open over there. Zhao Gang's long-range shots are still a threat."

"That's right, there wasn't much wrong with Luke Shaw's handling either. Rather than let Zhao Gang lift his foot to shoot without any interference, it was better to take a gamble!"

"As a result, he lost the gamble."

The two laughed heartily, which was probably their boldest way of celebrating.

If they were allowed, they would have picked up the drums and started drumming long ago!

"These two can really exaggerate. They can bring up Zhao Gang with anything. Zhao Gang is still miles away from the penalty area! But I love hearing it!! Hmm!! Well said!"

Van Gaal really didn't expect this game to be so difficult.

Norwich's tactic was very simple: to steal.

These two goals didn't count as regular positional attack goals at all.

They didn't have the ability to play positional attacks against Manchester United either.

To put it more simply, luck played a major role.

That's football, full of surprises.

Van Gaal felt that there was nothing wrong with his tactics.

These were all flukes.

Their luck couldn't always be this good.

Defend against Hillo, reduce free-kick events, and it will be easy to reverse the defeat!

Van Gaal waved his hand, give it to me!

Charge!

Farke finally couldn't restrain himself anymore. He could still pretend to be calm after the first goal, but they scored another one so quickly.

This was Manchester United!

We are a mediocre team that Davey said could only play in the Championship!

Compared to the giants, we are just scum on the ground!

Now, leading by two goals!

I wonder if Davey is feeling worse than eating sh*t right now?

Today, there weren't any Manchester United legends at the away game, so it's a real pity that we can't see them looking miserable!

"Defense! Defense!!" Farke quickly calmed down and made a megaphone with his hands. Norwich's defense had actually been threatened before.

Next, it will definitely be fraught with dangers.

Norwich's players quickly retreated, but some still couldn't help but laugh, trying to control their excitement.

Manchester United's players were somewhat silent.

Fifteen minutes!

2:0!

Those who didn't know would think Manchester City had changed their jerseys.

Changed to Golden Moon.

This was simply a disgrace!

And in a luxurious living room.

Two bald men were sitting on the floor, leaning against the sofa.

"What did I say? Manchester United is a joke now. There's nothing to be proud of that Manchester City beat them 6:2." Peran shook his head, almost laughing his teeth off.

Not only because Manchester United had conceded two goals, but also because of Zhao Gang's performance.

Josep Guardiola scratched his eyebrows. Zhao Gang's two passes, and then that earth-shattering free-kick goal, shocked him.

He's only eighteen years old!

It is said that when he first joined Norwich, he couldn't pass the ball at all, he could only shoot.

At the time, Peran had mentioned Zhao Gang, but Josep didn't pay attention to it at all.

What he needed was a striker who could pass the ball.

Zhao Gang was obviously not suitable.

But now, looking at it, that's not right!

Peran, you're deceiving me!

This is what you call not being able to pass the ball?

"He really can't pass the ball. I've seen it. Farke also said that his passing only improved after joining Norwich."