Soccer: If they're using these kinds of cheats, what's the point of training?

The post-match press conference was held in the press room at Storra Stadium.

Grenoble's head coach, Mohamed Bazdarevic, arrived five minutes late. When he walked into the press room, his expression was complex—not anger, not frustration, but a sense of helplessness that said, "I did everything I could, but I still lost."

Fernandez was already seated, with a bottle of water and two glasses on the table in front of him.

Bazdarevic sat down, three seats away from Fernandez.

The reporters were already impatient, and the first question was directed at Bazdarevich.

"Mr. Bazdarevich, your team was leading 3-1 in today's match, but ultimately lost 5-3 to Auxerre. Where do you think the turning point was?"

Bazdarevich was silent for two seconds.

"The turning point wasn't in tactics," he said. "The turning point was in the man."

He didn't say the name "Zhang Kuang," but everyone knew who he was talking about.

"We executed our tactics perfectly in the first half. We shut down Auxerre's midfield, we controlled the tempo of the game, and we scored three goals. When we were up 3-1, I thought – we have a chance to win this game."

He paused.

"Then he made it 3-2 with a 40-meter long-range shot. Then he made it 3-3 with a long run from midfield. Then in the second half, he made it 5-3 with a diving header and an assist."

His voice was calm, but every word carried a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Our tactics were very successful. We neutralized Pedretti, we broke through Auxerre's defense, and we scored three goals in the first half. But—"

He looked at the reporters.

"Auxerre has world-class stars. Grenoble doesn't. Our tactics can limit Auxerre's overall performance, but they can't stop Zhang's arrogance. He's not a Ligue 1 player; he's world-class. We didn't lose to Auxerre; we lost to Zhang from China."

A low murmur arose from the audience.

A French journalist raised his hand: "Mr. Bazdarevich, you said his arrogance is world-class. Do you think he can establish himself in a top club?"

Bazdarevich smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness.

"Sir, that's a very poor question. Zhang Kuang is a world-class player. Are you saying he doesn't have the ability to establish himself in a top club?"

He paused for a moment.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Auxerre can't keep him this summer. Scouts from Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, and AC Milan are definitely watching this game today. If they aren't, they'll regret it."

The reporters turned to Fernandez.

"Mr. Fernandez, how would you rate Zhang's performance today?"

Fernandez picked up his water glass, took a sip, and said something that surprised everyone without any expression on his face.

"Normal level".

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

"I'm not kidding." Fernandez put down his water glass. "I've said it many times, Zhang Kuang has the ability. The things he shows on the field—long-range shots, headers, dribbling, breakthroughs, passing—he's done them all in training."

You hadn't seen him do it before because the team didn't need him to. Today the team needed him, so he did it. It's that simple.

"You mean—his dribbling skills have always been this good? He just hadn't shown it before?" a British journalist pressed.

Fernandez glanced at the reporter.

"I won't comment on the players' technical details. I can only tell you that Zhang Guo has demonstrated far more technical skill in training than you've seen in matches."

The reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.

This answer is too cunning—it neither denies the possibility that "his arrogant dribbling skills were recently developed," nor confirms the statement that "he has always been this strong."

"Do you think he's better suited to play center forward or winger?" another reporter asked.

Fernandez thought for a moment: "He's suited to playing as a striker. A striker's position is—wherever the ball is, that's where he is."

The reporters in the audience laughed—it was a very philosophical statement, but coming from Fernandez, it didn't sound like he was just being pretentious.

"One last question," Fernandez stood up. "Zhang Kuang played very well today, but what I want to say is—football is a team sport. Auxerre won today not just because of Zhang Kuang alone."

Every one of my players contributed. Our defense was solid in the second half, our tactics were executed perfectly, and our stamina was better than our opponents. These are things no single player can do.

Bazdarevich listened from the side, his lips twitching slightly.

An eleven-person sport?

He glanced at Fernandez, then at the reporters, and ultimately said nothing.

-

At 8:30 p.m., Zhang Kuang arrived at the hotel where he had arranged to meet Marina. When he knocked on her door, Marina eagerly began to kiss him passionately. After a while, they separated.

Arrogant: "How do you plan to satisfy me?"

Marina smiled and said, "I've hired outside help, three of them."

Zhang Kuang: "..."

Zhang Kuang was stunned. He never expected Marina to dare to do something like this, and even dare to hire outside help.

Marina: "What? Don't you like them? Don't worry, they're prettier than those four women you found last time. These are the new eye candy for French and Italian football reporters. They have great figures, beautiful faces, and they really want to challenge you in bed."

Honey, I wouldn't have shared it with them if I weren't struggling to manage it all by myself.

Zhang Kuang shrugged and said, "I'll follow your arrangements."

"Hmm, come in then, they're all ready."

Zhang Kuang walked into the executive suite hotel room, where three very attractive, long-legged beauties were sitting on the sofa in the living room. They were dressed in revealing clothes, had a charming playing style, and pretty faces.

Marina: "Ladies, Zhang is here. Come on, let me introduce you all. Zhang, this is Camille Selvi, my colleague, also works at TF1. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time."

Zhang Kuang reached out to shake her hand, but Camille Selvi opened her arms and gave Zhang Kuang a hug, letting him feel her substantial assets.

"Zhang, I really like you. I'm so excited to be able to spend time with you."

Zhang Kuang patted her butt and laughed, "Don't be nervous."

Marina: "Zhang, this is Lucy Duval, a football reporter for RMC Sport radio."

After Lucy stood up, Zhang Kuang saw a more capable and generous style.

"Hello, Lucy."

"Zhang, you're very handsome, which meets my requirements. Treat me well tonight, and I'll like you even more."

Zhang Kuang hugged her tightly: "Just don't beg for mercy."

Marina pointed to the last one and introduced, "This beautiful lady is from Italy, a beautiful reporter from Sky Sports Italy, Gillia Leotta."

"Hello, beautiful Italian lady, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hello, Zhang, I'm happy to help too. Okay, that's all the introductions. We can talk more after this is over, what do you all think?"

Gillia Leota suggested.

arrogant: "So urgent?"

"Yes, it's urgent!"