Chapter Summaries

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.

Zhang Kuang weighed Ferguson’s offer to join Manchester United against his goal of winning titles and the Ballon d’Or. He agreed in principle after setting three conditions, and Ferguson welcomed him to the club.

• Zhang Kuang explained why he doubted the Premier League could offer long-term title stability, while Ferguson revealed he planned to manage Manchester United for three more years.
• Ferguson argued that Manchester United could help Zhang Kuang win the Champions League and Ballon d’Or, and Zhang Kuang considered the offer against his plan to join Juventus.
• Zhang Kuang demanded a salary near the squad’s top level, freedom over his private life, and the right to leave if Ferguson departed during his contract.
• Ferguson agreed to Zhang Kuang’s conditions in principle and welcomed him to Manchester United.

After meeting Ferguson, Zhang Kuang told his agent to negotiate with Manchester United and gave Marina an exclusive interview about the talks. He left his future undecided while insisting that winning titles mattered most, and the chapter ended with Marina still writing her four articles at the hotel.

• Zhang Kuang told Jonathan to negotiate with Manchester United, with winning the Champions League and helping him win the Ballon d'Or among his conditions.
• After learning reporters had photographed him meeting Ferguson, Zhang Kuang agreed to give Marina an exclusive interview.
• Marina arrived with Giulia Leotta, Camille Servi, and Lucie Duval and asked Zhang Kuang about Ferguson and Manchester United.
• Zhang Kuang said he was considering Manchester United but would focus first on winning the France Cup with Auxerre.
• Zhang Kuang described his priorities for a club as winning titles, having money, and being well managed.
• Marina spent three hours writing four separate articles while Zhang Kuang waited with her and the other women.

After news spread that Zhang Kuang had discussed joining Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson, media and fans around the world speculated about his transfer and reputation. The day after Auxerre won the title, Zhang Kuang accepted an exclusive interview with CCTV-5.

• TF1 published Zhang Kuang's confirmation that he had discussed joining Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson, and international outlets spread the news.
• Fans in China reacted to Zhang Kuang's possible move, while Juventus's sporting director called Jonathan to discuss the situation.
• The Sun publicized Zhang Kuang's alleged night with four women, prompting heated reactions from British readers and fans.
• French, Japanese, and South Korean fans debated Zhang Kuang's departure from Ligue 1 and whether he could succeed at Manchester United.
• Zhang Kuang accepted an exclusive CCTV-5 interview after winning the Ligue 1 title and Golden Boot.

Zhang Kuang sat for a CCTV-5 interview with Liu Jianhong in Paris and answered questions about his Ligue 1 success, the national team, and his training. The interview was left at Liu Jianhong's question about Zhang Kuang's private life, as Zhang Kuang began defending his habits.

• Zhang Kuang met Liu Jianhong in a Paris hotel conference room and agreed to answer any question in the interview.
• Zhang Kuang thanked fans for their support after winning the Ligue 1 title and rejected claims that he did not love China or Chinese football.
• Zhang Kuang said players needed enough ability and scoring power to succeed in top leagues, while cultural and language barriers were excuses.
• Zhang Kuang said his ability came from both talent and high-quality training, and advised players without talent to train hard.
• Liu Jianhong asked whether women affected Zhang Kuang's form, and Zhang Kuang said the habit was bad for most players but not for him.

Zhang Kuang told Liu Jianhong that he would not give up his Chinese citizenship for a chance to play in the World Cup, and the interview ended with Liu acknowledging his honesty. Back at Auxerre, Zhang Kuang celebrated the club’s title with its fans and teammates, then arranged to meet more women Hengbart had introduced him to.

• Zhang Kuang told Liu Jianhong that his footballing strengths mattered more than rumors about his private life and explained that he would not change his nationality to play in the World Cup.
• Liu Jianhong praised Zhang Kuang’s conviction, asked about his club life, and finished the interview by thanking him.
• Zhang Kuang returned to Auxerre on May 7 and joined the title celebrations, signing autographs and taking photos with fans.
• Hengbart asked Zhang Kuang about a possible move to Manchester United, and Zhang said it was likely but not settled.
• Hengbart showed Zhang Kuang photos of more women, and Zhang arranged a meeting with them before driving back to Paris.