In this case, how should the Chinese Super League teams face the AFC Champions League in the coming years? This is a cruel topic, but it is also a choice that will always be inevitable for all teams competing for league and cup titles. Take this year's Shandong Taishan as an example. When they couldn't keep up with the Champions League, they decisively "gave up" the league and put more energy into the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup. The team has achieved good results on both fronts. But at the same time, let's not forget the desire Shandong Taishan showed in the AFC Champions League. They often have to work 150% or even 200% harder than in the league to compete with teams from Japan, Korea and Italy.
Looking back at the past year Shandong Taishan's performance in the AFC Champions League, which victory is not by high-intensity spell out, extreme physical exertion? Shandong Taishan, the player reserves so deep, or so. Which other team in the Chinese Super League dares to say that it can use a set of lineups to play the world, and achieve good results in the AFC Champions League? So the Chinese super team in the future to play the Asian Championship, to focus on the degree and quality of will, between the game to make strategic choices. This is not alarmist talk. Look at Yokohama Mariners and Jeonbuk Hyundai, who did well in the AFC Champions League last season. One ranked 10th in the league standings, and even one ranked 10th.
To borrow a phrase from a Harbour fan, "the AFC Championship is a litmus test", but it's a litmus test that often hits its own foot.
