Recaps

Zhang Kuang scored twice before being substituted as Auxerre beat Nice 3-0, and he earned his second consecutive match MVP award. After the match, he discussed his ambitions with reporter Marina Durand and arranged to meet her that night.

• Zhang Kuang came off to applause after scoring twice, while commentators praised his impact and predicted that major clubs might target him.
• After Zhang Kuang's substitution, Nice pushed forward, and Jelen scored on a counterattack to give Auxerre a 3-0 lead.
• Auxerre held on to defeat Nice 3-0, securing consecutive wins to open the second half of the season.
• Zhang Kuang was named match MVP, bringing his Qi and Blood Point savings to 92, and told Marina Durand he hoped to pursue the Golden Boot and a title.
• Marina Durand invited Zhang Kuang for a drink, and he agreed to meet her that night.

After Auxerre’s second emphatic win in a row, Zhang Kuang celebrated with his teammates and received a message from reporter Marina Durand inviting him to meet. He spent the night and following morning with Marina, who postponed the business conversation she had intended to have, and then returned to Auxerre.

• Zhang Kuang and Jelen celebrated Auxerre’s victory, and Jelen thanked him for creating space that helped him score.
• Grichting filmed the dressing-room celebration and praised Zhang Kuang for scoring five goals in two matches.
• Zhang Kuang received a message from Marina Durand, asked the team manager for leave, and went to her suite at Le Negresco.
• Zhang Kuang and Marina spent the night together, and Marina fell asleep after telling him she had wanted to discuss business.
• After another morning together, Marina said she would call later about business, and Zhang Kuang left the hotel to return to Auxerre.

After Zhang Kuang scored five goals in two Ligue 1 matches, football communities across East and Southeast Asia discussed his performances and turbulent past. Fans celebrated and debated his status as a potential leading Asian forward, while the chapter left his national-team future unresolved.

• Zhang Kuang collected his belongings in Auxerre and drove back to Paris as news of his five goals spread across Asia.
• Hong Kong forum users praised Zhang Kuang's scoring and uncovered his history of expulsion, bereavement, a five-year ban, and solo move to France.
• Singapore fans discussed Zhang Kuang's physical strength and playing style, while rumors circulated that Johor DT had inquired about him.
• Bola.net published an article tracing Zhang Kuang's journey and declaring him a source of pride for Asia.
• Japanese and South Korean fans debated Zhang Kuang's achievements by comparing him with Park Chu-young and discussing Son Heung-min.
• Taiwanese fans praised Zhang Kuang's goals and physique and speculated about his nationality and future with the national team.

Zhang Kuang’s five goals sparked a surge of attention in China, while the arrest of two association officials led people to claim he had taken revenge. After learning the arrests had nothing to do with him, Zhang Kuang considered publicly denying the rumors and told his agent to discuss a documentary proposal with TF1 reporter Marina.

• Stories about Zhang Kuang’s background spread across Asia as his five goals in two matches made him a sensation in China.
• CCTV-5 announced it was negotiating to broadcast Auxerre’s upcoming matches, prompting excitement among Chinese fans.
• Chinese media reported that Xie Moumou and Yang Moumou were under investigation for suspected serious violations, and online commenters called the arrests Zhang Kuang’s revenge.
• Marina showed Zhang Kuang her proposal for a TF1 documentary following his half-season at Auxerre, and he said his agent would handle the negotiations.
• Jonathan told Zhang Kuang that people online blamed him for the arrests, and Zhang Kuang insisted he had never reported anyone.
• Zhang Kuang agreed to consider a statement refuting the rumors, referred Marina to Jonathan, and began writing a post on Sina Weibo.

After association officials were arrested, Zhang Kuang rejected claims that his posts had caused it and declared he would never return to the national team. As January 26 approached, he bonded with his teammates and dazzled women at a party, leaving the other footballers frustrated.

• Zhang Kuang read public speculation that his posts had led to association officials being arrested, then denied reporting them and warned rumor-spreaders about his legal team.
• Zhang Kuang said he would not return to the national team because he distrusted the association and believed it would remain corrupt.
• In the days before January 26, Zhang Kuang cultivated good relations with his Paris teammates, including by treating them to meals.
• Hengbart invited Zhang Kuang to an arts party, where Zhang Kuang charmed the women with his conversation and compliments.
• Four women wanted to go home with Zhang Kuang to see his cat do backflips, while Jérémy Toulalan and other players complained that Zhang had taken all the best prospects.

Zhang Kuang defended his chaotic private life to his agent and coach, promising that it would not hurt his performance. Fernandez kept him in the starting lineup for Auxerre’s France Cup match against Sedan, which began at Stade Abbé-Deschamps.

• Jonathan warned Zhang Kuang that his partying and sex life could damage his football career, but Zhang insisted it made him stronger.
• Zhang Kuang arrived at Auxerre’s training ground, where his teammates teased him about spending the night with four women.
• Fernandez confronted Zhang Kuang about the party, and Zhang promised he would accept being benched if his form declined.
• Fernandez said he would not interfere in Zhang Kuang’s private life but expected him to give everything on the pitch.
• Fernandez told Zhang Kuang he would start in Auxerre’s France Cup match against Sedan, and Zhang promised to score more goals.
• Auxerre hosted Sedan in the France Cup round of 32 as the broadcast introduced the match.

Zhang Kuang faced Sedan in the France Cup as Chinese broadcasters and fans focused on his first televised performance. He scored twice in the first half, leaving Auxerre 2-0 ahead.

• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang discussed Zhang Kuang’s scoring record, physical ability, finishing range, and confidence during the pre-match broadcast.
• Sedan assigned two holding midfielders to closely mark Zhang Kuang from the opening minutes.
• In the eleventh minute, Zhang Kuang escaped Kani’s pressure and scored from more than thirty meters out to put Auxerre ahead 1-0.
• In the twenty-ninth minute, Zhang Kuang held off two defenders, helped create a chance for Jelen, then collected the rebound and scored to make it 2-0.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang praised Zhang Kuang’s composed finish and individual ability.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted another goal as Auxerre defeated Sedan 4-0 in the France Cup. After the match, reporters praised his performance, CCTV-5 saw strong ratings, and a female reporter called to arrange a nighttime meeting with him.

• Fernandez told Zhang Kuang to drift wide in the second half to create space, and Zhang Kuang headed the ball down for Mignot to score Auxerre’s third goal.
• Zhang Kuang broke away from three defenders and volleyed in Oliech’s lofted pass, completing his hat trick and bringing his match total to three goals and an assist.
• Fernandez substituted Zhang Kuang and two other regulars, and Auxerre held on to win 4-0 as the crowd applauded Zhang Kuang.
• Landry Chauvin credited Zhang Kuang’s strength for Sedan’s defeat, while Fernandez called the striker’s performance normal; L'Équipe reported Fernandez’s remarks the next day.
• CCTV-5 celebrated the match’s high ratings, and a female reporter called Zhang Kuang to arrange a nighttime meeting at a hotel to discuss filming him.

Auxerre visited Saint-Étienne for Ligue 1’s 22nd round after Fernandez warned Zhang Kuang that he would be benched next match if he failed to score. As the match began, French commentators aired rumors about Zhang Kuang’s wild private life, while the broadcast focused on him and Saint-Étienne’s defense marked him tightly until the ball came his way.

• Fernandez named Zhang Kuang in the lineup, then warned him that he would be benched next match if he did not score.
• Auxerre’s fans sang Zhang Kuang’s name as the team took on Saint-Étienne at Keane Gérard Stadium.
• Jean-Christophe Bart and Christophe Dugarry discussed Zhang Kuang’s scoring prospects and broadcast a rumor about him leaving a party with four women.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang covered the match on CCTV-5 as the broadcast cameras repeatedly showed Zhang Kuang.
• After Saint-Étienne’s defenders marked Zhang Kuang tightly for a dozen minutes, the ball came his way.

Zhang Kuang scored twice in the first half against Saint-Étienne, giving Auxerre a 2-0 lead and strengthening Fernandez’s hopes of winning the title. The chapter left Zhang Kuang dominant as the teams approached halftime.

• Gonzalo Bergessio lost focus after a female fan flashed him, and Adama Coulibaly dispossessed him before passing to Pedretti.
• Pedretti passed to Zhang Kuang, who turned away from Matuidi and scored from nearly thirty meters out to put Auxerre ahead.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated his goal as Christophe Galtier berated Bergessio, while Fernandez grew more hopeful about Auxerre’s title chances.
• Birsa delivered a corner in the 39th minute, and Zhang Kuang powered through Saint-Étienne’s defenders to head the ball into the net for his second goal.

Auxerre entered halftime leading Saint-Étienne 2-0, and Zhang Kuang completed a hat trick early in the second half with a header from a corner. His extraordinary scoring and jumping ability left the commentators and viewers astonished as Auxerre maintained their lead.

• Saint-Étienne focused on cutting off passes to Zhang Kuang, while Jelen missed chances as Auxerre went into halftime ahead 2-0.
• Fernandez told Auxerre to contain Blaise Matuidi and Emmanuel Rivière, keep their first-half rhythm, and pass to Zhang Kuang.
• Christophe Galtier reprimanded Gonzalo Bergessio for losing focus before a shot, but Bergessio blamed a female fan in the stands.
• After the second half began, commentators discussed Zhang Kuang’s exceptional jumping ability as Saint-Étienne marked him with three defenders.
• Birsa sent a corner toward the near post, and Zhang Kuang headed it in to complete a hat trick.

Zhang Kuang scored his fourth goal against Saint-Étienne, making history and prompting commentators to warn that the humiliated defenders might retaliate. A vicious tackle sparked a fight, but the replay revealed that Zhang Kuang had also landed on Yoann Benalouane’s ankle, which appeared badly broken.

• Zhang Kuang celebrated his goal with a knee slide as Auxerre’s players and fans cheered.
• At the France 1 broadcast, Dugarry compared Zhang Kuang to an upgraded Drogba and praised his superstar potential.
• In the seventy-seventh minute, Zhang Kuang controlled Pedretti’s through ball, held off a defender, and scored his fourth goal to make it 4-0.
• Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang celebrated Zhang Kuang’s record as the first Chinese player to score four goals in one match in Europe’s top five leagues.
• Dugarry warned that Saint-Étienne’s players might retaliate against Zhang Kuang, and Yoann Benalouane soon brought him down with a studs-up sliding tackle.
• Both players were stretchered off, and a replay showed Zhang Kuang’s foot landing on Yoann’s ankle, which appeared bent at a severe angle.

After Zhang Kuang was injured by Yoann’s malicious tackle, Auxerre substituted him and secured a 4-0 away win over Saint-Étienne. Zhang Kuang discussed his injury and private life in a post-match interview, leaving Chinese fans divided over his admission that he had spent the night with four women.

• Yoann was sent off for his tackle on Zhang Kuang, who received treatment and returned to the pitch before Auxerre substituted him with Yaya Sanogo.
• Auxerre defended its lead, and the match ended 4-0 after Zhang Kuang scored four goals; Kevin Mirallas exchanged shirts with him, and he received the match MVP award.
• In an interview with Marina Durand, Zhang Kuang said his ankle injury was minor and called Yoann’s injury accidental, while urging the France Football Federation to punish malicious play fairly.
• Marina asked Zhang Kuang about taking four women home after a party, and he said he was young, curious, and willing to bear the consequences of his choices.
• Chinese viewers watched the interview live, and some criticized Zhang Kuang as a womanizer while others envied him.

After Zhang Kuang scored four goals, his teammates celebrated and Fernandez defended both his performance and private life at the post-match press conference. The exchange ended with Fernandez confronting Christophe Galtier over Saint-Étienne's malicious tackle, leaving Galtier unable to respond.

• Grichting drenched Zhang Kuang with champagne, and Pedretti gave him the match ball signed by his teammates.
• Zhang Kuang found hundreds of messages on his phone, including unsolicited propositions and a supportive message from someone he did not recognize.
• Fernandez told reporters that Zhang Kuang's injury was mainly bruising and criticized Yoann's challenge as a criminal attempt to cripple him.
• Fernandez defended Zhang Kuang's private life, saying his training record and performances gave him no reason to interfere.
• Galtier regretted Yoann's tackle but argued that his loss of control was understandable and noted that Yoann would miss at least four weeks with torn ankle ligaments.
• When Galtier criticized Zhang Kuang's conduct, Fernandez retorted that his players did not make malicious tackles, and Galtier fell silent.

In the locker room, Zhang Kuang taught his teammates three ways to pick up women after Grichting reminded him of his promise. The players paid him with a bottle of Bordeaux and hoped he would hold another class.

• Grichting cornered Zhang Kuang in the locker room and demanded the promised lesson on picking up women.
• Mignot, Oliech, Jelen, and Hengbart joined Grichting as Zhang Kuang agreed to teach his teammates.
• Zhang Kuang explained how to identify women who might be receptive, make them feel appreciated, and use a push-pull approach.
• Grichting gave Zhang Kuang a bottle of Bordeaux as tuition, and Zhang Kuang hinted that he might teach another class.

After Auxerre’s 4-0 win, Zhang Kuang faced a global media storm over his football and party life. As he read the coverage, The Sun reporter Jason Wilson flew to Paris to investigate him.

• Fernandez warned Auxerre’s players not to grow complacent after their winning streak, and the team headed back to Auxerre.
• Zhang Kuang switched on his backup phone, received a message from The Sun reporter Jason Wilson, and began reading reports about himself.
• International newspapers and online commenters debated Zhang Kuang’s talent, character, and private life.
• Jason Wilson and photographer Mark Thompson boarded a flight to Paris, and Jason told Mark that Zhang Kuang was drawing enormous attention.

Jason Wilson and Mark Thompson traveled to Paris to investigate why four women from its arts scene had spent a night with Zhang Kuang. Jason interviewed Camille Dupont, who said Zhang Kuang impressed the women through his knowledge and conversation before they chose to go with him; she described the night as unforgettable.

• Jason Wilson told Mark Thompson he wanted to learn why the four women had gone home with Zhang Kuang, then flew with him to Paris.
• Jason reviewed profiles of Camille Dupont, Héloïse Martin, Clara Lefèvre, and Manon Romain, then arranged an interview with Camille through her father, Philippe Dupont.
• Jason and Mark set up a hotel-suite interview, where Camille explained that Zhang Kuang had drawn her in by discussing her photography and Wong Kar-wai's films.
• Camille said Héloïse and Clara joined their conversation and Manon later approached them, and that the women left the party with Zhang Kuang to keep talking.
• Camille recounted that Zhang Kuang lured them to his home with a story about his cat doing backflips, and described their ensuing night together as unforgettable.
• Jason asked Camille to explain what had made the experience so memorable.

Jason and Mark interviewed the four women who had spent the night with Zhang Kuang, and Jason wrote an article describing the encounter with envy rather than condemning it. Back in Paris, Zhang Kuang learned that the three women from the France Study-Abroad Squad were unfazed by the scandal and heard Aïssa describe claims about animal-sex tourism in Denmark.

• Jason and Mark interviewed Héloïse Martin at her dance studio, where she praised Zhang Kuang’s charm and vigor.
• Jason interviewed Clara Lefèvre and Manon Romain, then compiled all four women’s accounts.
• Jason chose to write an envious commentary, checked the article, and emailed it to The Sun’s editor-in-chief for the next day’s paper.
• Zhang Kuang returned to Paris and spent time with Lina, Matilda, and Aïssa, who said they were unconcerned by his scandal.
• Lina suggested inviting more artistic women to a party, and Aïssa told Zhang Kuang that people in their group had gone to Denmark to try sex with animals.
• Zhang Kuang said he could not accept a partner sharing sex with an animal, and the three women laughed and said none of them would try it.

After The Sun published interviews with four French women who praised Zhang Kuang, the story went viral and Jonathan explained how the agency could turn the attention into commercial value. Zhang Kuang chose to cultivate a playboy image while prioritizing his football career, and he left interviews and endorsements for later in the season.

• Zhang Kuang read The Sun's report about the four women and went to meet Jonathan at the agency.
• The report spread worldwide, prompting heated online discussion and praise as well as criticism of Zhang Kuang.
• Jonathan outlined ways to respond to the publicity, and Zhang Kuang chose to build a playboy image to increase his commercial appeal.
• Zhang Kuang told Jonathan he would accept an exclusive interview after reaching the top of the scoring charts and postpone brand endorsements until season's end.

Reporters from around the world gathered outside Auxerre’s training ground after The Sun published an article about Zhang Kuang’s relationships with four women. When Zhang arrived, he answered their questions and challenged a reporter who accused him of crossing society’s moral line.

• Philippe Moreau found a large crowd of international reporters outside the training ground and alerted the security staff.
• Stéphane told Fernandez that The Sun’s report about Zhang had spread worldwide and that reporters wanted an interview.
• Fernandez told Stéphane to ask Zhang to deal with the reporters so they would not disrupt training.
• Zhang arrived in his Porsche, stopped when reporters blocked the road, and said The Sun’s report was basically accurate.
• When a reporter accused Zhang of challenging society’s moral bottom line, Zhang asked which moral line he had crossed and denied forcing anyone or breaking the law.

Zhang Kuang defended his relationships with four women during a press conference, then answered questions about his scoring and ambitions. As the media frenzy spread, Grenoble coach Mohammed Bazdarevic mocked him ahead of the match, and Fernandez promised Zhang would respond on the pitch.

• Zhang Kuang argued with reporters that his relationships were legal and did not violate club rules, challenging them to condemn other conduct they considered immoral.
• Zhang Kuang said the Golden Boot was his basic goal and that he wanted to help his team win the league through teamwork.
• Hengbart and Dennis Oliech praised Zhang Kuang for silencing the reporters, and Fernandez sent the squad to train.
• News outlets around the world published Zhang Kuang's comments, prompting widespread online reactions.
• Before Grenoble faced Auxerre, Mohammed Bazdarevic mocked Zhang Kuang and invoked Japan's past victories over China through Japan international Daisuke Matsui.
• Fernandez said Zhang Kuang would show Matsui what an Asian cannon was, and the coaches' exchange set off online arguments in China and Japan.

Auxerre faced bottom-placed Grenoble amid fierce debate over Zhang Kuang and Daisuke Matsui, and Zhang nearly scored early. Grenoble took the lead after Danijel Ljuboja beat the offside trap and Olivier Sorin failed to stop his shot.

• Chinese and Japanese fans argued over Zhang Kuang and Daisuke Matsui ahead of the match, while Grenoble manager Mohamed Bazdarevic’s remarks fueled the controversy.
• Auxerre and Grenoble kicked off at the Stade des Alpes, with Zhang Kuang partnering Jelen and Grenoble adopting a defensive formation.
• Zhang Kuang struck the crossbar with a powerful long-range shot in the fifth minute.
• Jacques Romao played a through ball in the eighth minute that sent Danijel Ljuboja past Auxerre’s defense.
• Ljuboja shot toward the near corner, and Olivier Sorin failed to save it, putting Grenoble ahead 1-0.

Auxerre fell two goals behind Grenoble after goalkeeper Sorin made errors, while Grenoble's five-man midfield shut down the team's attack. Zhang Kuang urged coach Fernandez to bypass midfield with long balls and wing play, and Auxerre began to adjust.

• Grenoble took the lead in the eighth minute when Ljuboja scored from distance after Sorin failed to save his shot.
• In the tenth minute, Sorin spilled Akrour's header into the goal, putting Auxerre two goals behind.
• Zhang Kuang recognized that Grenoble's midfield press had isolated Pedretti and N'Dinga and kept the ball from reaching the forwards.
• Zhang Kuang told Fernandez to use long balls to him and attack down the wings instead of building through midfield.
• Fernandez instructed the players to send the ball forward quickly, and Zhang Kuang signaled Pedretti to play long balls to him.

Auxerre fell behind Grenoble 3-1 despite Zhang Kuang’s spectacular forty-meter goal, as Grenoble shut down his team’s attacks and Daisuke Matsui scored again. With Auxerre struggling and the match slipping away, Zhang Kuang decided to spend his saved Qi and Blood Points to improve his dribbling.

• Grichting launched a long ball to Zhang Kuang, who set up Oliech before receiving the return pass and scoring from nearly forty meters to make it 2-1.
• Zhang Kuang urged his teammates to restart immediately, while Mohamed Bazdarevic ordered Grenoble to deny him shooting space wherever he was.
• Grenoble tightened their midfield press, restricting Auxerre’s long balls and wing attacks and limiting Zhang Kuang to two touches over fifteen minutes.
• Daisuke Matsui helped create an attack that ended with him scoring in the thirty-sixth minute, putting Grenoble ahead 3-1.
• Zhang Kuang opened the system panel and ordered it to put his 225 saved Qi and Blood Points into dribbling.

Zhang Kuang spent nearly all his Qi and Blood Points to upgrade his dribbling and buy an intermediate Stepovers skill, then scored a spectacular solo goal against Grenoble. Auxerre celebrated the goal as Grenoble's players and coach were left stunned.

• Zhang Kuang used 180 Qi and Blood Points to raise his dribbling subskills and spent another 40 on an intermediate Stepovers skill.
• Grichting passed to Zhang Kuang in Auxerre's half, and Zhang charged past Daisuke Matsui and Laurent Batlles before beating Flachez with a stepover and catching his own pass.
• Zhang Kuang dribbled nearly eighty meters, beat Grenoble's two defenders named David, and scored into the top-right corner.
• Grenoble's home crowd applauded Zhang Kuang's goal, while Mehmed was stunned and Fernandez knelt to thank God.
• Zhang Kuang cursed Fernandez for thanking God instead of him, then fled as teammates piled onto him and fans shouted obscene cheers.