Recaps

Zhang Kuang inspired Auxerre’s comeback against Grenoble, scoring twice and nearly completing a hat trick before striking the post. In stoppage time, his clever pass set up Jelen to equalize, leaving the match tied 3-3 at halftime.

• Dugarry praised Zhang Kuang’s extraordinary solo goal and said his ability to carry Auxerre through adversity made him a player European giants should sign.
• Fernandez gave Zhang Kuang freedom to roam and ordered the rest of Auxerre to support him while tightening their defense.
• Zhang Kuang broke past Cesar and Jemmali, but his shot beat the goalkeeper only to rebound off the post.
• After Auxerre’s corner and sustained pressure, Pedretti sent a diagonal ball to Zhang Kuang, who flicked a pass over two defenders into the six-yard box.
• Jelen side-footed Zhang Kuang’s pass past the goalkeeper to make the score 3-3 in stoppage time.

Auxerre and Grenoble went into halftime tied 3-3 after Zhang Kuang scored twice and assisted Jelen’s equalizer. Both coaches set second-half plans focused on correcting their teams’ weaknesses and dealing with Zhang Kuang.

• Jelen equalized for Auxerre with an assist from Zhang Kuang, making the score 3-3.
• Auxerre fans chanted Zhang Kuang’s name as the teams left the pitch for halftime.
• Fernandez berated Auxerre for conceding three goals, praised Zhang Kuang, and assigned him a free attacking role while directing the others to defend.
• Mohamed Bazdarevic praised Grenoble’s first-half performance but told his players to defend Zhang Kuang more ruthlessly in the second half.
• Bazdarevic instructed Daisuke Matsui to push forward and seek attacking chances in Auxerre’s defensive gaps.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted twice as Auxerre rallied from behind to beat Grenoble 5-3. He was substituted to a standing ovation, and the match ended with Auxerre holding on to its lead.

• Zhang Kuang scored a diving header from a Pedretti assist to put Auxerre ahead 4-3 and complete his hat trick.
• Zhang Kuang set up Roy Contout’s goal with a cross, extending Auxerre’s lead to 5-3 and bringing his total to three goals and two assists.
• Fernandez substituted Zhang Kuang and Dennis Oliech, and Auxerre’s supporters applauded Zhang Kuang as he left the pitch.
• Grenoble attacked after Zhang Kuang came off, but Auxerre defended its lead until the referee ended the match with a 5-3 score.

Zhang Kuang led Auxerre to a comeback win over Grenoble with a hat trick and two assists, earning Daisuke Matsui’s respect and his fourth straight match MVP award. After the match, Zhang discussed the game in a TF1 interview, and Marina Durand hinted at arranging a more intimate follow-up.

• Zhang Kuang celebrated Auxerre’s win as Daisuke Matsui approached and exchanged shirts with him, bowing deeply and praising him as Asia’s pride.
• Chinese and Japanese fans reacted online to Matsui’s bow and Zhang’s five goal contributions.
• Zhang thanked the away supporters, received his fourth consecutive MVP award, and signed the match ball with his teammates.
• Marina Durand interviewed Zhang, who said he had stepped up when Auxerre struggled and criticized the team’s mental fatigue while praising Grenoble’s performance.
• Marina asked Zhang to meet for a more in-depth interview, and he agreed while teasing her about new ways to play.

After Auxerre’s comeback victory over Grenoble, both coaches discussed Zhang Kuang’s decisive performance at the press conference. That evening, Zhang Kuang met Marina at a hotel and discovered she had arranged for three other reporters to join them.

• Mohamed Bazdarevic said Grenoble’s tactics had worked but Zhang Kuang’s world-class performance had decided the match.
• Fernandez called Zhang Kuang’s display his usual level and praised Auxerre’s team effort.
• Zhang Kuang arrived at Marina’s hotel suite, where she told him she had brought three reinforcements.
• Marina introduced Zhang Kuang to Camille Servi, Lucie Duval, and Giulia Leotta.
• Giulia Leotta suggested they stop talking and get started, and Zhang Kuang asked whether they were in such a hurry.

After Zhang Kuang’s spectacular performance against Grenoble, media outlets and fans across the world hailed his long solo goal and speculated about major clubs pursuing him. The chapter left his future uncertain as Auxerre supporters feared his low release clause would make him impossible to keep.

• L'Équipe published Zhang Kuang’s eighty-meter solo goal as the “Goal of the Century,” and its animated video drew millions of views within hours.
• Bild compared Zhang Kuang’s goal with Maradona’s and Messi’s, while The Times reported that Ferguson had watched him and wanted a player like him.
• Marca and AS praised Zhang Kuang’s ability and potential, and Italian newspapers reported that Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan were pursuing him.
• Chinese newspapers celebrated Zhang Kuang’s three goals and two assists, calling his performance a personal triumph.
• Fans debated which major club Zhang Kuang might join and lamented that Auxerre could lose him for his three-million-euro release clause.

Europe’s top clubs assessed Zhang Kuang and debated how he would fit their teams, while the transfer race gathered pace. The chapter left Zhang finishing his workout and preparing to leave after a call came in from Jonathan.

• Ancelotti urged Chelsea to sign Zhang Kuang at any price, seeing him as the club’s next attacking focal point.
• Ferguson argued that Zhang could become Manchester United’s true number nine and said the club should pursue him despite his impending retirement.
• Mancini told Manchester City’s owner to prioritize Zhang above every other potential signing and offered to negotiate a lavish deal.
• Pellegrini and Pardeza discussed Zhang’s exceptional ability and questioned whether he would accept playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
• Guardiola decided Barcelona should submit a bid, even though he and Vilanova doubted Zhang suited their system.
• Secco reported to Blanc about Zhang as clubs across Europe studied him; after his workout, Zhang received a call from Jonathan.

After Zhang Kuang’s match footage sparked a frenzy among Europe’s biggest clubs, he met with Jonathan in Paris to review their offers. He rejected several destinations and left the decision unresolved, with Manchester City as a possible backup.

• Jonathan told Zhang Kuang that Europe’s top clubs had made offers, so Zhang hurried from Grenoble to Paris.
• Zhang arrived at SportCover’s overwhelmed office and joined Jonathan, who showed him the clubs’ faxes and terms.
• Zhang ruled out Manchester United because he expected its competitiveness to decline, and dismissed Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
• Zhang considered Manchester City’s lucrative offer as a possible backup, but had reservations about its future under Guardiola.
• Zhang rejected Real Madrid and Barcelona because their crowded attacks would leave him competing for a central role or serving as a substitute.
• Zhang reviewed offers from Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and other clubs without choosing where to transfer.

Zhang Kuang considered his transfer options and told Jonathan to prioritize negotiations with Juventus while he reviewed a growing number of endorsement offers. After scoring four goals against Pau FC, he attracted more attention when Ferguson publicly argued that Manchester United was the best fit for him, and Marina Durand secured an exclusive interview.

• Zhang Kuang weighed the major European clubs and chose Juventus as his preferred transfer target, telling Jonathan to negotiate with them without making his preference definite.
• Jonathan showed Zhang Kuang offers from Chinese and international brands, and Zhang Kuang rejected the sexual-health product endorsements while considering Sina Weibo’s proposal and postponing all deals until the season ended.
• Zhang Kuang scored four first-half goals against Pau FC in the France Cup and asked to sit out the second half.
• Ferguson confirmed Manchester United’s interest in Zhang Kuang and described him as an ideal attacking focal point for the club’s future.
• Marina Durand secured an exclusive interview with Zhang Kuang for TF1.

Zhang Kuang stayed focused on Auxerre despite transfer rumors, while Fernandez and Rennes manager Frédéric Antonetti discussed the upcoming match. On Lunar New Year's Day, Zhang Kuang sent greetings to Chinese fans and spoke with Wu Guohua before preparing for Auxerre's game against Rennes.

• Zhang Kuang thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for praising him but declined to discuss a possible transfer from Auxerre.
• At the pre-match press conference, Fernandez wished Zhang Kuang and Chinese fans a happy New Year and said Auxerre could score as long as Zhang Kuang played.
• Frédéric Antonetti said Rennes had a confidential plan to stop Zhang Kuang from scoring.
• Zhang Kuang posted New Year's greetings to his 38.7 million Weibo followers and promised to do his best in the match against Rennes.
• Zhang Kuang called Wu Guohua to wish him a happy New Year, then planned to eat breakfast and drive to the training ground.

Auxerre faced Rennes on Valentine’s Day, with Zhang Kuang continuing his remarkable scoring run. He scored twice in the first 21 minutes to move level with Mamadou Niang at the top of Ligue 1’s scoring charts.

• Zhang Kuang beat two Rennes defenders early in the match and set up Jelen, whose shot struck the post.
• Zhang Kuang finished a flowing Auxerre move with a header in the seventh minute to put his side 1-0 ahead and reach fourteen league goals.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated by showing the camera a New Year message on his undershirt.
• Zhang Kuang kept moving across the attacking half, frustrating Rennes’ defenders and disrupting Frédéric Antonetti’s defensive plans.
• Zhang Kuang evaded two defenders and scored again in the 21st minute, making it 2-0 and drawing level with Mamadou Niang on fifteen league goals.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted Jelen as Auxerre beat Rennes 4-0, putting him atop the Ligue 1 scoring chart. After the match, Rennes coach Antonetti praised Zhang Kuang, while Hengbart showed him photos of women who wanted to have dinner with him.

• Zhang Kuang set up Jelen for Auxerre’s third goal, and the first half ended 3-0.
• Antonetti told Rennes’s players to defend deep in the second half, but Zhang Kuang broke through their defense and scored his third goal of the match.
• Zhang Kuang’s sixteenth goal in five matches made him Ligue 1’s sole top scorer, and he was substituted before Auxerre finished the match with a 4-0 win.
• Antonetti said Rennes had lost to Zhang Kuang, while Fernandez credited Auxerre’s team as a whole for the victory.
• Hengbart showed Zhang Kuang photos of women who wanted to have dinner with him, and Zhang Kuang suggested they go to a Chinese restaurant first.

After Zhang Kuang learned that women had been paid to expose their affairs with him, he went to Lille for Auxerre’s Ligue 1 match and faced racist abuse and a brick attack. He fought off six Lille fans, leaving the match’s security and officials scrambling as the incident was broadcast live.

• Zhang Kuang posted photos of a Chinese meal to promote Spring Festival culture and visited the Middle Eastern squad in France to harvest qi and blood points.
• Matilda offered to introduce Zhang Kuang to young Eastern European women, while Aïssa and Lina explained that The Sun had paid four women to reveal their affairs with him.
• At Lille Métropole Stadium, Zhang Kuang asked the fourth official to report the crowd’s racist abuse, then dodged a brick thrown from the stands.
• Zhang Kuang challenged the brick-throwing fan, knocked him down when he charged, and threw him to the ground.
• Five or six of the fan’s friends jumped down to attack Zhang Kuang, but he took them down in less than three seconds as teammates and security rushed in.

After Lille fans attacked Zhang Kuang and the match was delayed, the game resumed under heightened security, with Lille defending him physically but failing to stop his spectacular long-range goal. Zhang Kuang provoked the home supporters with his celebration before Auxerre’s players hurried him back onto the pitch, and halftime arrived with Auxerre leading 1–0.

• Police restored order, and officials delayed kickoff while the Football Association decided the match would continue with stronger security and promised punishment and apologies.
• Lille coach Rudi Garcia abandoned his violent tactics and told his players to restrict Zhang Kuang within the rules.
• Zhang Kuang endured Lille’s physical defending and created chances, but goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau saved his header and Pedretti’s shot.
• Near halftime, Zhang Kuang evaded Balmont and scored from roughly forty-five meters to put Auxerre ahead 1–0.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated in front of Lille’s fans and kicked objects they threw back toward the stands before Auxerre’s players took him away.
• The referee blew for halftime immediately after Lille restarted play.

Zhang Kuang scored twice to lead Auxerre to a 2-1 win over Lille, despite Lille’s physical pressure and a late goal. After the match, Fernandez condemned Lille over the attack on Zhang Kuang and the team’s on-field tactics, while the France Football Federation announced an investigation.

• At halftime, Fernandez told Zhang Kuang to avoid Lille’s physical contest by changing his positioning, while Rudi Garcia urged Lille to wear him down.
• Zhang Kuang created chances in the second half, but Landreau saved his header and Jelen’s follow-up, and a later shot struck the goal frame.
• In the 71st minute, Zhang Kuang evaded Landreau and scored into an open goal to put Auxerre 2-0 ahead.
• Fernandez substituted Zhang Kuang in the 78th minute, and Gervinho scored for Lille before Auxerre held on to win 2-1.
• At the press conference, Fernandez condemned the fans’ attack on Zhang Kuang and Lille’s rough tactics, and the France Football Federation announced an investigation the following day.
• Hengbart took Zhang Kuang away after the match, where four women were waiting to see him.

Zhang Kuang continued his prolific scoring as Auxerre took the league lead, advanced to the France Cup semifinals, and strengthened their hopes of winning both competitions. After Paris Saint-Germain took an early lead against Auxerre, Zhang equalized and then scored again to put Auxerre ahead.

• Zhang Kuang scored twice against Valenciennes, three times against Bordeaux, and twice against Montpellier as Auxerre climbed to the top of the league after Marseille drew twice.
• Auxerre beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the France Cup round of 16 and advanced to the semifinals, where they were due to face Quevilly.
• Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick against Monaco, leaving Auxerre five points ahead of Marseille and putting him atop the scoring chart with 27 goals.
• Paris Saint-Germain's Sankharé scored in the 11th minute, prompting commentators Bart and Dugarry to criticize Auxerre's declining defense.
• Zhang Kuang equalized with a header from a corner in the 17th minute, then stole the ball from Sylvain Armand and curled it past Apoula Edel to give Auxerre the lead.

Zhang Kuang scored his 30th league goal as Auxerre beat Greater Paris, then helped his team move within one win of the Ligue 1 title. The chapter ended as Auxerre prepared to face Lyon in a match watched by an enormous crowd celebrating Zhang Kuang’s record-breaking season.

• Zhang Kuang scored with a solo run in the 59th minute, and Auxerre defeated Greater Paris 3-1.
• Zhang Kuang contributed goals and assists as Auxerre won their next four league matches, including a 2-1 victory over Marseille.
• Auxerre moved seven points ahead of Marseille with three matches left and needed one more win to secure the title.
• Jean-Pierre Escalettes, Jean-Michel Aulas, Alain Dujon, and Platini attended Auxerre’s decisive match against Lyon as French officials considered Zhang Kuang’s impact on the Eastern market.
• Zhang Kuang emerged to chants from the crowd, while Liu Jianhong and Xu Yang praised his record as the first Chinese and Asian player to score 30 goals in a season in one of Europe’s five major leagues.

Auxerre faced Lyon with the Ligue 1 title within reach, but Lyon’s aggressive start exposed Auxerre’s defensive errors. Lisandro López scored in the fifth minute, leaving Zhang Kuang and Auxerre trailing 1-0 with most of the match still to play.

• Chinese fans filled part of Gerland Stadium as Auxerre prepared to face Lyon, with a win enough to clinch the league title.
• Zhang Kuang reviewed his Qi and Blood Points and realized that even a title win would not give him enough to upgrade.
• The teams took the field, with Auxerre lining up in a 4-4-1-1 and Zhang Kuang playing behind Jelen.
• Lyon pressed Auxerre from kickoff, and their early attack ended with Grichting blocking Makoun’s shot.
• In the fifth minute, Pjanić intercepted N’Dinga’s loose touch and set up Govou, whose cross led to Lisandro López volleying Lyon into a 1-0 lead.
• Zhang Kuang remained calm near the center circle as Auxerre faced an early deficit with eighty-five minutes left.

Lyon pressed for a second goal, but Zhang Kuang broke through their midfield and equalized with a long-range strike. The match stood at 1-1 as Platini and Escalettes considered Zhang Kuang’s future in Ligue 1.

• Lyon attacked repeatedly after taking the lead, forcing Sorin and Grichting to stop several chances.
• Pedretti sent a long pass to Zhang Kuang, who brought it down near the center circle and evaded Toulalan and Makoun.
• Zhang Kuang shot from roughly thirty-five meters and beat Lloris to make it 1-1 in the eighth minute.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated with Auxerre’s players as Fernandez clenched his fists and Puel stood stunned on the touchline.
• Platini and Escalettes exchanged thoughts about whether Ligue 1 could keep Zhang Kuang.

Zhang Kuang scored twice as Auxerre came from behind to lead Lyon 2-1 at halftime. Lyon dropped back after his second goal, and the tense half ended before the Chinese fans encountered an unsettling surprise in the stadium toilets.

• Lyon pressed Auxerre hard, but Sorin saved Cris's header after a corner.
• Sorin punched clear a Lyon corner, and Pedretti started an attack that Zhang Kuang finished after combining with Oliech, Berthod, and Jelen to put Auxerre ahead 2-1.
• Fernandez celebrated Auxerre's lead while Puel ordered Lyon to retreat and shore up their defense.
• The teams traded physical challenges in a disjointed midfield battle until halftime.
• Chinese fans were startled by sounds from a men's toilet cubicle, while French fans teased them with rumors about Zhang Kuang.

Lyon’s three-man marking scheme contained Zhang Kuang but left Auxerre’s other players space, which they repeatedly failed to use. Lyon equalized through Sidney Govou in the 81st minute, leaving the match tied 2-2 with fewer than ten minutes remaining.

• Lyon began the second half with a high press and three defenders surrounding Zhang Kuang, repeatedly dispossessing him and slowing his attacks.
• Pedretti exploited the open midfield with a long-range shot, but Lloris parried it away.
• Fernandez substituted Oliech for Amadou Sidibé, shifting Auxerre into a defensive 4-5-1 that left Zhang Kuang even more isolated.
• Zhang Kuang escaped a four-man marking group and set up Jelen in front of goal, but Cissokho blocked Jelen’s weak shot.
• Puel replaced Makoun with Sidney Govou, reducing the pressure on Zhang Kuang and shifting Lyon back to an attacking 4-3-3.
• Cissokho surged forward and crossed from distance, and Govou headed the ball into the net to make the score 2-2.

Zhang Kuang scored a stoppage-time hat-trick goal to give Auxerre a 3-2 lead over Lyon and secure the league title. His teammates celebrated as the Chinese supporters erupted in the away stand.

• After Lyon equalized, Auxerre struggled under their intense press, and Sorin saved Cris's header from a corner.
• Zhang Kuang beat Toulalan and Cissokho before his powerful shot struck the crossbar.
• In stoppage time, Zhang Kuang dropped into midfield, creating space for Pedretti to advance and pass to Birsa.
• Birsa squared the ball to Jelen, who flicked Zhang Kuang's return pass into his path.
• Zhang Kuang scored first time to put Auxerre ahead 3-2, completing his hat-trick and prompting a jubilant team celebration.

Auxerre beat Lyon 3-2 to win the 2009-2010 Ligue 1 title, with Zhang Kuang scoring a stoppage-time winner and earning man of the match. During interviews, Zhang Kuang rejected transfer talk and said he would not return to China’s national team under the current system or give up his Chinese identity.

• Zhang Kuang intercepted Lisandro López’s pass in stoppage time and started a counterattack before the final whistle confirmed Auxerre’s 3-2 victory and league title.
• Auxerre’s players celebrated by tossing Zhang Kuang and coach Fernandez into the air, and Zhang Kuang signed memorabilia for the fans and thanked them in Chinese.
• Zhang Kuang told reporters that he had not known Alex Ferguson was at the match and declined to discuss possible moves to Manchester United or Juventus.
• Zhang Kuang thanked Chinese fans, said he would keep improving, and defended his training approach and private life when questioned by reporters.
• Zhang Kuang said he would not rejoin China’s national team unless its system changed and would never change his nationality because being Chinese was his greatest pride.
• Zhang Kuang credited Auxerre’s title to the whole team and ended the interview.

After Auxerre celebrated its Ligue 1 title, Zhang Kuang shared the credit with his teammates and received an €800,000 bonus from chairman Alain Dujon. He then learned that Ferguson was waiting to meet him in Lyon, leaving his summer future in question.

• Zhang Kuang joined Auxerre's champagne-soaked dressing-room celebration and insisted the title belonged to the whole team.
• Alain Dujon thanked the players and handed out title bonuses, including an €800,000 check for Zhang Kuang.
• Dujon told Zhang Kuang he would be welcome back at Auxerre if he left during the summer.
• Hengbart told Zhang Kuang that the women they had met before wanted to see him again, and Zhang Kuang joked about charging extra.
• Jonathan Leblanc picked Zhang Kuang up and told him Ferguson was waiting to meet him at a hotel in Lyon.

Zhang Kuang met Sir Alex Ferguson in Lyon, where Ferguson praised his scoring ability and questioned his training habits. Zhang rejected Manchester United as a future destination, predicting that the club would decline after Ferguson left, and stunned Ferguson and the others with his analysis.

• Zhang Kuang arrived at the Sofitel Lyon with Jonathan, who carried his season reports and personal information.
• Mike Phelan welcomed Zhang Kuang and Jonathan into the suite, where Ferguson offered Zhang authentic Longjing tea.
• Ferguson praised Zhang Kuang's three goals and challenged his claim that talent alone explained his ability despite his limited extra training.
• Ferguson asked whether Zhang Kuang would challenge himself in the Premier League, and Zhang said he wanted a club capable of sustained dominance rather than Manchester United after Ferguson's departure.
• Zhang Kuang argued that Ferguson's authority, not just his tactics, kept Manchester United strong and predicted the club would unravel without him, leaving Ferguson, Phelan, and Jonathan stunned.