Chinese Super League Preview: Zhejiang Relying Heavily on Three Foreign Players, Changchun Yatai Gaining Momentum as They Climb Out of the Doldrums

On the evening of June 15 at 19:35, Round 15 of the Chinese Super League (CSL) continues with Zhejiang hosting Changchun Yatai. The two coaches are familiar foes, having clashed twice in the China League One when Xie Hui led Nantong Zhiyun against Zhejiang’s Joel迪 in 2021. In the 2022-2023 season, Xie Hui’s Dalian Professional faced off against Zhejiang under Joel four more times.

Zhejiang has performed consistently over the past few seasons, maintaining stability amidst the turbulent waters of the CSL. Their tactics and playing style have matured, but they currently sit in sixth place with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses, accumulating 22 points. However, the gap to league leaders Shanghai Shenhua has widened to 14 points. A more realistic goal for this season would be securing a spot in the Asian Champions League. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including slow progress in club restructuring, lack of team spirit, and a limited fan base. The question of how to survive and thrive remains a daunting obstacle.

Since the managerial change, Changchun Yatai has seen a significant improvement in morale and match results. With 3 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses, they have 13 points. The positive news is that they have managed to escape the relegation zone. The downside is that they are only 3 points above it. Without securing more points before the halfway point of the season, one bad game could send them back down. Time and space for Xie Hui to rectify issues are limited.

In their previous match, Zhejiang lost 0:3 away to defending champions Shandong Taishan. Despite the defeat, Zhejiang maintained a calm tempo, even when trailing, patiently building play from the backline to the front. Once the ball reached their three foreign players, the rest of the team would fall into position, awaiting opportunities. This reliance on their foreign stars was exposed in the AFC Champions League, but in the CSL and recent seasons, Zhejiang has persisted with this approach. If the外援 deliver, points follow; otherwise, they hope for better luck next time.

Changchun Yatai drew 0:0 with Henan in a rainy encounter in their last round. While the scoreline was uneventful, the constant rain made for an intense but not particularly exciting match. Both teams took a point, which wasn’t a terrible result. Nevertheless, Yatai’s ability to create chances was disappointing. With a 2-2-1 record in their last five matches, Changchun is in a gradual upward trajectory. However, the extent of this improvement seems limited, and Xie Hui’s high-pressing philosophy has yet to take root in northeastern China.

The two clubs have a history of 28 encounters, with Zhejiang winning 8, drawing 13, and losing 7. In their last four CSL meetings, Zhejiang managed just 3 draws and 1 loss, failing to gain any significant advantage. Even in their exceptional season last year, they couldn’t overcome the resilient Changchun Yatai. Playing at home, their head-to-head record stands at 4 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses apiece. This season, Zhejiang hasn’t changed much, sticking to their single-minded strategy of relying on three foreign players, which may not suffice. Changchun, on the other hand, has undergone personnel changes but faces an aging squad.

Both teams are relatively injury-free heading into the match. Zhejiang’s trio of foreign players, Leonardo, Ousso, and Franck, are in good form. Xie Hui will need to devise a plan to disrupt their connection. Changchun played three friendly matches during the break, focusing on training and identifying areas for improvement. With a congested schedule ahead, featuring four games in 15 days, Xie Hui must balance maintaining team performance while avoiding fatigue-related injuries and striving to accumulate points for the remainder of the campaign.

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