Epidemic dynamics are gradually coming under control, and the much-anticipated
China Super League (soccer league)
The league has finally rung the opening bell for April 20th. Given the risk of a resurgence of the epidemic, the new season
China Super League (soccer league)
The league still follows a non-traditional format: it is divided into three phases of 30 rounds of "14+8+8", with Guangzhou and Suzhou divided into two zones, and the final standings are determined by the total number of points scored. For the strongest teams, this season's format is closer to a regular league, testing the stability of the teams, rather than last season's cup-like format, which focused more on clinical play.
Outline of the tournament has been finalized, details are yet to be revealed
"14+8+8" makes up the new season
China Super League (soccer league)
The overall framework of the league. Within the first phase, the groups play a double round-robin for a total of 14 rounds. In the second stage, the top four from Group A and the 5-8 from Group B are merged into a new group, and the top four from Group B and the 5-8 from Group A are merged into a new group to continue the double round-robin, with teams that have already played each other in the first stage not playing each other again, for a total of 8 rounds. In the third stage, the top four teams from Groups A and B, as well as the 5-8 finishers, each form a new group, again in a double round robin, for a total of 8 rounds. Since the ranking depends on the total points, even if a team has a poor ranking in the first stage, it still has a chance to turn the game around by adjusting its form in the following stages.
It has been confirmed that Guangzhou and Suzhou will host the first phase of the tournament, while the details of the second and third phases of the tournament have yet to be finalized. If the epidemic is effectively controlled, it is not ruled out that the home and away system will be resumed for the second and third stages of the tournament, so that fans can come to the scene to cheer for the team.
China Super League (soccer league)
Impact of Expansion on Middle and Lower Teams
in the new season
China Super League (soccer league)
While the league kicks off, we can't ignore next season's
China Super League (soccer league)
The impact of the expansion to 18 teams on the lower and mid-table teams. Next season
China Super League (soccer league)
will be expanded and the rules for promotion and relegation in the league have changed considerably this season. The top two teams in this season's Central League 1 will be promoted directly to the
China Super League (soccer league)
and third and fourth place will be tied 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)
League qualification.
The expansion plan is certainly good news for the mid and lower table teams. With the elimination of the direct relegation places, even the bottom one and two teams have a chance to stay in the play-offs through the
China Super League (soccer league)
, alleviating the pressure on teams to survive. Central League One, on the other hand, has the opportunity to gain a 1+1+0.5+0.5 promotion quota, boosting promotion to the
China Super League (soccer league)
opportunities. Also, the increase in the number of teams helps to reduce relegation pressure and increase the margin for error as teams adjust and adapt to new formations. However.
China Super League (soccer league)
Can the commercial value of the league sustain 18 teams? In the midst of the epidemic against
China Super League (soccer league)
Is it too much of a rush to expand? These are questions that time will have to answer.
With old and new strengths each showing their hand, which team will be the closest in the new season?
New season, once familiar faces
Changchun Yatai (soccer team)
Returning with the glory of the Central League Championship
China Super League (soccer league)
Led by Tan Long, the best striker among domestic players, and with imported foreigner Junior scoring in warm-up matches against Shanghai Seaport and Beijing Guoan, a strong and highly-moralized
Changchun Yatai (soccer team)
Vowing to repeat the team's historic glory in the new season. Traditional giants
Shanghai Shenhua (soccer team)
The signings of Wu Xi and Jonic, paired with a squad full of famous players, are also bound to make an impact on the top of the league. Shenzhen, Wuhan and Henan Songshan Dragons have also invested heavily in the new season and have outstanding international and quasi-international players in their squads. These five teams will play in the new season's
China Super League (soccer league)
Making new waves in the league.
Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Seaport have shown their determination in the new season. Shandong Taishan introduced Shi Ke, Ji Xiang, Xu Xin and other strong players, while Shanghai Seaport signed Dujia and Li Ang to further deepen the team's lineup. The determination of the two teams to compete for the title in the new season has also been revealed. Beijing Guoan also tried the lottery while making minor repairs, introducing young players such as He Zhenyu and Cao Tianyi to prepare for the future. Guangzhou, on the other hand, has been relatively low-key, with no big moves to bring in reinforcements, but with its many naturalized players, Guangzhou is still a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Guangzhou City in the south are still sticking to their strategy of maintaining stability in their lineup this season, as are Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic. However, the northern Dalian people's foreign aid loss is more serious, Hamsik and Long Dong have returned to the team, the only reliable center forward in the current lineup seems to be Boateng. Geographically similar, but with very different fates, Qingdao next door to the Dalianese have ushered in veterans such as Zou Zheng to join the team, and it will be interesting to see if Wu Jingui can coach the team up for the new season. Cangzhou Lions also introduced Jiangsu old Xie Pengfei and Shanghai Harbor's Lin Chuangyi to add bricks and mortar to the relegation. 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 Jinmenhu and Hebei will have a difficult time on the 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 investment of each club in the transfer market has been drastically reduced, 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 the most competitive season in recent years.
Surprises abound, with the first four rounds of the Spotlight
Along with the announcement of the start time and format, the schedule for the new season has also surfaced. The first four rounds of the new season are full of highlights. The first round of matches includes 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 will have 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.
soccer league
Surprising in the organization of the schedule for the new season.
