At 19:30 on August 15, Beijing
national security
Welcome to the Jiangyin Sports Center with
Shanghai Shenhua (soccer team)
The match is not only about the battle between the third and fifth place in Suzhou. This game is not only about the battle between the third and fifth place in Suzhou, but it may also decide which team will be able to join the championship group, and which team will face the fate of relegation. The feud between Beijing and Shanghai has been going on for many years since the A-A era to the Chinese Super League, and no one expected that under this year's special system, the two teams would stage such an existential battle in the middle of the league.
Currently, Shenhua is in fourth place with 22 points and a goal difference of 6. They are tied with fourth-placed Hebei, but Hebei is only one goal behind. Guoan is right behind them with 25 points and a goal difference. A loss by Hebei in the final round of the first stage would lock Shenhua into the top four without a match, while Guoan would need a draw to move into the title contenders' group on goal difference with Hebei tied on points.
However, Hebei's opponent in this round is a strong Wuhan team, which is not very likely to lose. For both Beijing and Shanghai, they have to prepare for the worst in their preparation for the match. In this case, Shenhua needs at least a draw, while Guoan must go all out for a win.
"This is a crucial game and everyone on the team knows the importance of this game. We are ready for the most crucial battle at this stage." Shenhua acting head coach Mao Yijun had this to say.
As a team with a clear lead in points and goal difference, Shenhua occupies a favorable position at this time. When talking about how to look at the situation that only a draw will do, Mao Yijun said that the outside world is analyzing how it should be responded to, but he has never thought about the problem from this perspective. "For me, I go all out in every game and prepare for every game in order to win. We all know this requirement of mine."
Guoan head coach Bilic said that Guoan played well and passionately in the last game and showed their strengths, and hopes to carry on this fighting spirit with such a good result and play the next game well. "We are facing a strong team, we have to believe in ourselves, and if we want to get anything, we will follow the way we played in the last game."
Guoan can only win to ensure that they enter the group of title contenders, to which Bilic said: In fact, from the first to the last game, we have the same attitude towards every game, and there is not much to change for tomorrow's game. This contest tomorrow is crucial, but it has to be treated like a normal game. "There is no need to mobilize in front of a game like this. We have to find a balance between taking it seriously and not getting too nervous."
Bilic also said that Ji Zhongguo's return to the field of play is a great strengthening of the team, but with Gao Tianyi suspended for four yellows, the team does not have much room for adjustment in terms of the U23 players, which needs to be arranged properly.
