On July 22, 2023, at 19:35 pm, the 18th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) will hold a much-anticipated matchup, with Shanghai Shenhua challenging Changchun Yatai on the road.
Shanghai Shenhua had a solid first 17 rounds with 10 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses, accumulating 34 points. They are 6 points behind table-topping Shanghai Harbour and are currently second in the Chinese Super League table, the favorites to win the title after Shanghai Harbour. Considering that the league is already halfway through, Shanghai Shenhua will have to catch up with Shanghai Seaport as soon as possible if they want to make something out of this season. So, as it should be, head coach Wu Jingui is likely to send his strongest squad to the game in order to win against the not-so-strong Changchun Yatai.
However, surprisingly, in such an important game, Wu Jingui hid three main players in one breath, namely Yu Hanchao, Amadou and Yan Xinli.
It is understandable to hide Yan Xinli in the snow, after all, he was recently injured and has not fully recovered. However, facing the strong Changchun Yatai, even Han Chao and Amadou, the two brachycephalic toughs, were hidden in the snow. They didn't allow them to fight directly with the team and didn't even give them a chance to play as substitutes. Wu Jingui also has enough courage.
Some say Wu Jingui wants to play the FA Cup, while others say Wu Jingui is playing the upcoming Shanghai Bund derby. The writer believes that it is reasonable for Wu Jingui to make such a rotation considering the overall strategy and physical quality of the players, but it does take some courage for him to dare to hide directly in the two main players, Han Chao and Amadou.
Apart from bravery, there is another important reason why Wu Jingui dared to do so, and that is that he has a backhand for himself. By both Yu Hanchao and Amadou have alternatives to replace in due course. Veteran Cao Yunding, who has winger credentials, has reportedly recovered from injury. He can replace Hanchao if he is not in the game and is ordered in danger; as for Amadou, the French iron waist, Wu Xi, a meritorious iron waist of the national soccer team, has also recently recovered from his injury. He can also replace Amadou for the time being to fulfill the task of intercepting and stealing in the middle and backfield.
Therefore, Wu Jingui's decision to bench both Han Chao and Amadou, the two main players, although it seems a bit risky, is not a blind decision, but a clear strategic preparation. If Wu Xi and Cao Yunding are still recovering, it is expected that Wu Jingui will not take the risk of adopting such a military strategy.
