Time is like a beautiful maiden; before you even have a chance to confess your feelings, she has already become someone else's bride.
A week later, at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's home match against Middlesbrough was about to begin.
There are two relatively famous Stadiums of Light in Europe; one is located in Lisbon, Portugal, and is the home ground of Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.
The other, located on the River River Wear in the city of Sunderland in northeast England, is precisely the home ground of Sunderland!
Even though it's just the stadium of a Premier League relegation-battling team, the Stadium of Light can accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators and is even considered one of the best stadiums in Europe.
Not far along the River River Wear, you can find two of Sunderland's arch-rivals.
One of them is Newcastle United, also from Tyne and Wear; their matches are known as the Tyne-Wear derby.
The other is today's opponent, Middlesbrough; their matches against Sunderland are called the Wil-Tees derby.
In the hearts of Sunderland fans, Newcastle is, of course, the number one arch-rival, but due to their opponent's relegation last season, the derby between them can only be put on hold for now.
They need to direct more of their animosity towards Middlesbrough, a geographically closer opponent!
As a team from northeast England, their fans are always passionate.
Football, like alcohol, can be said to be an inseparable part of a fan's life.
They will go crazy for their team, and even crazier for a derby match!
Moreover, today's battle is even more important than previous derbies.
As the two teams occupy the bottom two positions in the Premier League table, with only a three-point difference, this is undoubtedly a life-and-death struggle for Premier League survival!
Sunderland's miraculous victory against Manchester United a week ago clearly greatly ignited the local fans' enthusiasm.
Therefore, even two hours before the match, the Stadium of Light was already packed.
Sunderland fans, dressed in red and white striped jerseys, dyed the entire stadium red, the Sunderland team anthem echoed continuously throughout the stadium, and bare-chested men waving team scarves could be seen everywhere.
In the South Stand, a huge tifo depicting a large black cat with sharp fangs and claws slowly unfolded, pushing the already fervent atmosphere to a climax!
Sunderland's nickname is "Black Cats," and it's clear that the fans hope the team can be like a fierce black cat today, tearing their arch-rivals to shreds!
At this moment, the entire Sunderland team, playing at home, was already assembled in the locker room, ready for action.
Zhao Zhao, dressed in a simple and stylish suit, looked even more handsome.
The players, who had undergone a week of "special training," were also full of vigor, each eagerly awaiting Zhao Zhao's final instructions before the match.
However, the tactics board in the locker room was blank today, indicating that Zhao Zhao did not intend to discuss any tactical matters.
"Gentlemen, how this match should be played, I have emphasized many times over the past week, so I don't want to say much now."
"You just need to remember that as long as you perform to your training level, execute the tactical requirements, and maintain your focus and fighting spirit for the match, that will be enough to win this game. I have confidence in you!"
Zhao Zhao's gaze slowly swept across each player's face, then he said in a deep voice:
"Today is a derby, and it's also a relegation battle. I believe you are all very clear about this."
"But I hope you remember even more that you are fighting for the fans, and for your own honor!"
"If the team is relegated, perhaps next season you can transfer, continue to play in the Premier League, and still earn a sufficient weekly wage;"
"But on your resume, there will always be a record that makes you feel ashamed, because you relegated your team!"
"I believe you don't like this, and I certainly don't either. In fact, you should have heard what I said to the media; I firmly believe we can avoid relegation!"
"Many years from now, perhaps many people will still talk about how we climbed out of the relegation zone from a ten-point deficit at the bottom of the table in just a few matches; such a miracle will be remembered forever."
"Now, let's go out there and let the bodies of our arch-rivals, Middlesbrough, become our stepping stones!"
After speaking, Zhao Zhao directly turned around and pulled open the locker room door, then roared: "Go!"
Zhao Zhao today was like a general about to step onto the battlefield, giving a speech to his soldiers.
And clearly, this indeed motivated the Sunderland players.
Each of them was full of fighting spirit, like lions released from a cage, beginning to walk out of the players' locker room!
And every time a player walked out, Zhao Zhao would give him a firm high-five, and the player would also shout:
"Go!"
After that, it was one cry after another:
"Go!"
"Go!"
...
Standing in the player tunnel of the Stadium of Light, what echoed in Zhao Zhao's ears was the rising roar from the stadium stands.
That was the frenzied cheering from Sunderland fans!
Although it wasn't the first time he had led the team out, today's feeling was completely different.
This was Zhao Zhao's first home match!
Then, the stadium DJ began to announce the starting lineups for both teams.
First, the visiting team Middlesbrough's players were announced, and with each name, Sunderland fans responded with fierce boos.
Then it was time for the Sunderland players' names.
First, the captain.
"John—O'Shea!"
The stadium immediately erupted in cheers, accompanied by thunderous applause.
This is the difference between home and away teams, this is home advantage!
"Jordan—Pickford!"
"Adnan—Januzaj!"
"Jermain—Defoe!"
...
With each name announced, the fans enthusiastically responded with a deafening roar.
And when the DJ reached the end, the wording changed slightly:
"Next up is our esteemed Coach: Zhao Zhao!"
The volume of the crowd's shouts instantly reached its peak, and the atmosphere of the entire stadium instantly reached its climax, like boiling water!
The entire Stadium of Light seemed to tremble!
This also proved Zhao Zhao's current standing in the hearts of Sunderland fans!
The away comeback victory against Manchester United can be said to be one of the greatest achievements for a small team like Sunderland in recent years!
This was enough to make Sunderland fans look at Zhao Zhao, this young Coach, with new eyes, and they were all very much looking forward to him leading Sunderland to an even better performance today!
Such an atmosphere made Zhao Zhao clench his fists.
And very quickly, the staff began to signal that it was time to enter!
So, led by the referee team, the players of both teams, each holding their young mascots, walked out together, and Zhao Zhao followed behind them.
It's worth mentioning that Defoe, who was walking at the very end of the line, was personally carrying his mascot.
It was little Bradley, who was ill!
After watching the Sunderland vs. Manchester United match from his hospital bed, little Bradley's condition had miraculously improved somewhat.
After obtaining the doctor's permission, Sunderland invited the little boy to the stadium today to be Defoe's mascot.
Zhao Zhao chatted casually with little Bradley while looking left and right at both sides of the player tunnel.
The player tunnel was a bit dim, but one could see various murals of famous Sunderland historical figures displayed on both sides, with descriptions of everything they had done for the team.
However, the players in the murals were mostly in black and white photos, because although Sunderland had won the top-tier English League 6 times in its history, the most recent one was in the 1930s…
And when was their first championship?
The distant 1891-1892 season.
At that time, China was still in the eighteenth year of Emperor Guangxu's reign, and the Great Qing Dynasty had not yet fallen…
As Zhao Zhao continued to walk forward, he gradually saw some light, as well as the red stadium outside, and fans waving jerseys and scarves in the distant stands.
"Oh oh oh oh…!!"
Further on, the roar of the fans grew louder and louder, creating a thrilling sensation.
Until he completely walked out of the stadium, and the fans saw Zhao Zhao's figure, they once again erupted in deafening shouts:
"Zhao Zhao!"
"Zhao Zhao!"
"Zhao Zhao!"
Zhao Zhao also smiled and waved to the stands, which drew even more responses from the Sunderland fans.
With a confident and calm expression, Zhao Zhao was about to make his home debut at the Stadium of Light!