The next day, Zhao Zhao did not stay at the Sunderland Training Base but headed north.
Because, as per usual, the entire team had a day off!
Now, as long as it wasn't a two-game-a-week schedule, after a match, especially after a win, Zhao Zhao would reward all team members with a day off.
A wise ancient scholar surnamed Lu in our country once said that combining work and rest yields good results.
Moreover, such days off are also very helpful in boosting player morale.
As for whether they wanted to stay at the club for extra training or work overtime, that was none of his business.
This was primarily a reward for the players and Coaches, and also a reward for himself!
Only by finding fun amidst the intense and exciting football matches could he find the true meaning of this football life.
So, the question is, Sunderland is already a city in the northeast of England, so why would Zhao Zhao still head north?
The answer is he was going to Scotland, Inverness.
Inverness is the only settlement with city status within the Scottish Highlands, and is therefore often called "the northernmost city in the UK."
This unique small city is hailed as the cleanest city in Europe and the city with the highest quality of life in Scotland, boasting the longest summer in the entire UK.
At the same time, it is the capital of the Scottish Highlands, a must-pass route to Loch Ness, and the preferred transit station to the Isle of Skye; the scenery along the way, with its varying elevations, is very beautiful, making it a popular tourist spot in Scotland.
However, Zhao Zhao was not going there for tourism—or rather, his main purpose was not tourism.
He was going to find someone.
Karen Gillan!
She had already finished filming "Jumanji" and returned to her hometown.
And her hometown was Inverness, Scotland.
Therefore, Karen Gillan invited Zhao Zhao to Inverness, and Zhao Zhao happened to be free, so why not just head directly north?
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Once the two met up, Karen Gillan happily took Zhao Zhao to tour the Scottish Highlands.
This was, of course, something Zhao Zhao also enjoyed doing.
In his previous life, he wasn't even qualified to be a corporate drone, so he naturally had no opportunity to travel around.
But now, he didn't even need to make special trips; he could visit various places in the UK and experience the local scenery.
In the future, if he could lead Sunderland into European competitions, the places he would set foot in would spread across the entire Europe!
Of course, when leading the team to match venues, it was often just a fleeting glance, not like today where he could truly enjoy himself.
Not to mention having a beauty by his side, how could it not be delightful!
The Scottish Highlands are located in the northwest of Scotland, referring to the mountainous areas west and north of the Scottish Highlands Boundary Fault; this place is known as the "Shangri-La" of Europe.
The Scottish Highlands are undulating with mountains, dotted with lakes, and snow-capped mountains and grasslands merge into one, vast and expansive, especially the ethereal atmosphere that permeates the land, making one forget time and space, everything seems eternal.
Zhao Zhao and Karen Gillan first went to the "Isle of Skye" shrouded in mist.
The scenery here is picturesque; the outdoor location for the opening of the 2012 sci-fi blockbuster "Prometheus" was here.
However, what interested Zhao Zhao the most was Loch Ness!
It is located in the Great Glen in northern Scotland, making it quiet, mysterious, vast, and misty, and large parts of the lake remain unfrozen year-round, which adds a touch of mystery to this lake.
Here, the Loch Ness Monster is an almost household legend, incredibly mythical, and many curious tourists come specifically for it; Zhao Zhao was no exception.
However, unfortunately, Zhao Zhao did not find the monster.
After visiting the famous Inverness Castle, the two stayed in a nearby hotel.
Then, the main event began!
Inside this spacious and bright hotel, an intense and exciting match began.
Zhao Zhao was going to conquer the Scottish Highlands today!
On the sofa, by the table, by the window…
Every place became the venue for Zhao Zhao and Karen Gillan's match!
And these special match venues also allowed for unlocking more formations and tactics.
What 6-9 formation, what 'Green Field Lotus', and finally 'Old Man Pushing the Bus'!
The entire room was filled with the atmosphere of battle!
"I heard what Coach Zhao Zhao said, and I agree with his view."
At this moment, the hotel's television was playing at maximum volume, to slightly mask some of the noise caused by the match here.
And on the television, Watford Coach Mazzarri was being interviewed by reporters.
This also made Zhao Zhao, while diligently pushing and sprinting, occasionally glance at the camera on the TV to see what Mazzarri was saying.
"Similarly, out of respect for Sunderland and Swansea, we will certainly go all out in this match."
"What kind of tactics will we use to deal with Sunderland? Haha, I have nothing to keep secret."
"I know that facing Sunderland away from home, being too conservative will not yield good results, so I will take the initiative and play an exhilarating attacking game against them!"
"We, Watford, will definitely stay in the Premier League with our own strength!…"
As Mazzarri waved his fist to show his determination, Zhao Zhao also sped up and began to sprint.
Finally, he ended this fierce match with a powerful and swift impact!
Although the match ended, Zhao Zhao did not immediately pull the key out of the bus but lay on the bus, panting.
"Is that your next opponent?" Karen Gillan didn't turn her head, but she could, of course, hear the sound from the TV.
She also closed her eyes, enjoying the pleasure and lingering warmth from the match they had just played.
"Mm." After resting for a while, Zhao Zhao finally pulled out his key and then walked to the window, "But there's nothing to worry about."
"I wouldn't worry about you." Karen Gillan said with a smile while tidying her clothes, "You are always the best. … You were great just now."
"Haha…" Zhao Zhao laughed loudly, and casually patted the bus's rear.
However, when he looked out the window again, his mind had already begun simulating the match against Watford.
Now was the sage's time; why not see if what Mazzarri said was true, would he really play an attacking game against him at the Stadium of Light?
[Sunderland deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, with today's playing style emphasizing overall coordination and ball control, attempting to break the opponent's defense through patient passing and precise delivery.]
[Watford, on the other hand, used a three-center-back 5-4-1 formation, primarily focusing on defensive counter-attacking tactics, preparing to create threats using fast breaks and set-piece opportunities.]
[In the opening phase, Sunderland controlled possession, attempting to find opportunities through short passes. Watford, however, set up a tight defense, not giving the opponent much space.]
[In the 35th minute, a brilliant combination by Sunderland almost broke through Watford's defense, but Defoe's final shot went slightly wide.]
[In the 55th minute, during a defensive counter-attack, Watford capitalized on an error in Sunderland's backline and advanced quickly; forward Niang calmly shot after receiving a pass in the penalty area, and it was a goal! Watford led 1-0.]
[Sunderland increased their attacking intensity, attempting long-range shots and crosses multiple times, while Watford retreated fully into defense. Their goalkeeper Gomes performed excellently, defusing multiple crises.]
[Ultimately, Watford, relying on an efficient counter-attack, defeated Sunderland with a score of 1-0.]
[Match simulation ended, current simulation points: 7.]
"I'll f*** you to death…" Zhao Zhao exclaimed, somewhat surprised.
Mazzarri, that old fox, truly released smoke bombs.
What attacking or not attacking, this was about defending to the death!
And in this simulation, Zhao Zhao clearly fell for his trick.
Karen Gillan heard Zhao Zhao's voice, walked behind him again, wrapped her arms around Zhao Zhao's waist, and whispered:
"Really? Then let's do it again."