Epidemic control stabilizes for new season
China Super League (soccer league)
The drums are beating for league play, with opening day set for April 20th. Given the risk of recurring epidemics, the new season's
China Super League (soccer league)
The league system is innovative, divided into "14+8+8" three stages, a total of 30 rounds of matches. The tournament is divided into two zones, Guangzhou and Gusu, and the final ranking is determined by the total points. For the strongest teams, this season's format is more of a test of consistency than last season's cup-style format, which emphasized clinical play.
The framework of the competition is set, but the details are yet to be revealed.
"14+8+8" is the season's
China Super League (soccer league)
The league's tournament framework. In the first stage, double round-robin matches are played within each group for a total of 14 rounds. In the second stage, the top four of Group A and the top five to eight of Group B merge, and the top four of Group B and the top five to eight of Group A merge, and again play a double round-robin within the groups, with teams that have already played each other no longer facing each other, for a total of eight rounds. In the third stage, the top four of Group A and the top four of Group B, and the top 5-8 of Group A and the top 5-8 of Group B are merged, and the double round-robin within the group is played again, and the teams that have already played each other will not play each other again, for a total of 8 rounds. Since the ranking is based on the total points, even if the first phase of the ranking is not good, the subsequent adjustment of the state of affairs still have a chance to turn the tide.
It has been confirmed that Guangzhou and Gusau will host the first phase of the tournament, while the details of the second and third phase of the tournament have yet to be finalized. If the epidemic is effectively controlled, the second and third stages of the tournament may resume the home-and-away system, allowing fans to watch the games live.
China Super League (soccer league)
Impact of Expansion on Middle and Lower Teams
In reveling in the new season
China Super League (soccer league)
As we approach the start of the league season, we should not overlook the impact of next season's "expansion" program on the mid- and lower-tier teams. Next season
China Super League (soccer league)
There will be an expansion to 18 teams and a major change in the rules for promotion and relegation this season. The top two teams in this season's Central League will be directly promoted
China Super League (soccer league)
, third and fourth place will be awarded with
China Super League (soccer league)
The bottom two finishers and second place finishers of the tournament play a play-in game, with the winner earning a 2022 season
China Super League (soccer league)
of the entry.
The expansion program has had a significant impact on
China Super League (soccer league)
There is undoubtedly good news for the middle and lower relegation teams. With the removal of the direct relegation places, even the bottom two teams have a chance to stay in the play-offs through the
China Super League (soccer league)
, reducing the pressure on teams to survive. The Central League then gets a 1+1+0.5+0.5 promotion spot to the
China Super League (soccer league)
The chances are greater. At the same time, the increase in the number of teams will also help to reduce relegation pressure and increase the margin of error for teams to adapt to the new lineup. However, can the commercial value of the Chinese Super League support the survival of 18 teams? Is the expansion of the Chinese Super League under the epidemic too hasty? These questions need time to be answered.
A season where the old and the new forces are on display, and the teams are closest to each other?
Familiar face Changchun Yatai returns as Central League champions in new season
China Super League (soccer league)
With Tan Long, one of the best strikers in the Chinese League, leading the domestic squad, and imported foreigner Junior scoring in warm-up matches against Shanghai Seaport and Beijing Guoan, Changchun Yatai is vowing to return to its former glory in the new season with strong strength and high morale. Traditional giants Shanghai Shenhua have signed Wu Xi and Jonic, and with a squad full of famous players, will also aim for the top of the league. Shenzhen, Wuhan and Henan Songshan Dragons have also invested heavily in the new season, and all of them have outstanding international and quasi-international players in their squads. These five teams will be in the new season of
China Super League (soccer league)
The league is making new waves.
The reinforcements of Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport showed their determination in the new season. Shandong Taishan brought in strong players such as Shi Ke, Ji Xiang and Xu Xin, while Shanghai Seaport signed Dujia and Li Ang to further improve the depth of their squad. Both teams' determination to win the title in the new season is also evident. Beijing Guoan, while making minor repairs, also brought in young players such as He Xiaoyu and Cao Tianyi to prepare for the future. Guangzhou, on the other hand, is the most low-profile of the four giants, with no big-money attractions, but the return of Alan and the training of young players. Despite the lack of big moves, Guangzhou is still a force to be reckoned with in the league with many naturalized players.
Guangzhou City in the south have continued their strategy of maintaining stability in their squad this season, as have Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic. However, the north of the Dalian people foreign aid loss is more serious, Hamsik and Long Dong have returned to the team, the current lineup of reliable center forward seems to be only Boateng one. Geographically similar, but with different fates, Qingdao next door to Dalian Ren welcomed Zou Zheng and other veterans to join the team, and it will be up to Wu Jingui to coach the team well in the new season. Cangzhou Lions also introduced the same old Jiangsu Xie Pengfei and Shanghai Harbor Lin Chuangyi, for relegation to add bricks and mortar. The only highlight of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers' transfer period is the appointment of Tianjin soccer star Yu Genwei as the team's head coach. Hebei's new season has seen a large number of strong players leaving, and the team's strength has declined severely. Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Hebei will have a difficult road to relegation in the new season.
Under the influence of policies such as "salary limits" and "name changes".
China Super League (soccer league)
The clubs' investment in the transfer market has been drastically cut, and the concept of attracting reinforcements based on practicality has gradually become the mainstream. Due to the reduction of big-name foreign aid, as well as the frequent flow of internal aid in the past two years, the strength of each team in the new season also tends to be close to each other, and the 2021 season may become a season of fierce competition in recent years.
Surprise Tour, Spotlight Battles Played in First 4 Rounds
Along with the announcement of the start times and fixtures, the schedule for the new season has also surfaced. The first four rounds of the new season are full of highlights. In the first round of matches, there is not only the Guangzhou Derby in which Guangzhou faces Guangzhou City, but also the classic match between Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan. After the Guangzhou derby, Guangzhou will have to welcome a hard battle with Shandong Luneng. Another city derby, the Shanghai Derby, is scheduled for the third round, and Shanghai SIPG has to play Beijing Guoan in the second round before playing the Shanghai Derby. In the fourth round of the league, fans will again welcome Shandong Luneng and Qingdao Qilu derby.
Meanwhile, in the first round of the competition, the match between Dalian and Changchun Yatai also attracted the attention of fans. In the last round of the 2018 league, when it was still Dalian side defeated Changchun Yatai 2-0 successfully relegated and sent Changchun Yatai to the Central League. In the new season, facing the comeback of Changchun Yatai, this competition will certainly be able to collide with different sparks. The Football Association's schedule of matches for the new season is a pleasant surprise.
