As a senior football commentator in China, Zhang Lu is familiar and loved by millions of fans in China, especially those who like Italian football. Since CCTV-5 199 1 Serie A live broadcast, Zhang Lu, with his profound knowledge of football theory, fair and passionate comments and language easily accepted by ordinary fans, has made the Serie A live broadcast known as the Little World Cup a weekly festival for China fans. After years of explanation, Zhang Lu gradually formed a professional and incisive explanation style combining skills and tactics with team dynamics, and thus produced a group of loyal listeners of Zhang Lu.
Zhang Lu also contributed to China's entry into the 2002 World Cup, and was named as one of the "Top Ten Behind-the-scenes Heroes" of the World Cup by China sports newspaper titan sports, together with Yan Shiduo, Zhang Jilong and Nan Yong, former vice presidents of China Football Association.