The drums of the AFC Cup quarter-final are beating, and this week's match is about to kick off. 8 p.m. on July 25, lock in CCTV5+ and witness Shanghai Shenhua meet the challenge of Zhejiang at home. Although Shenhua has prepared well for the match, they still need to deal with the unexpected storm clouds on the field. Although two players, Yu Hanchao and Amadou, have been left to prepare for the F.A.C.A. Cup, the heavy blows suffered by Wu Jingui in the Chinese Super League, the serious injuries to Teixeira and Bassogo, and the absence of Jiang Shenglong, have all posed a considerable challenge to the team.
Shenhua, who originally planned to have five foreign aiders, now only have Amadou and Malalei available. Yan Xinli missed many games due to injury, its position can be replaced, but Wu Jingui faced with a choice: is the whole main force to play in the AFC Cup, or to take into account the problem of physical fitness, in the Shanghai Derby have reservations? Is the honor of the AFC Cup more important, or is the honor and points of the derby more critical? Wu Jingui needs to make a wise choice in these two key battles.
Wu Jingui has repeatedly emphasized that Shenhua will bring in the new with the old. However, the reality is not so. Although the performance of the veterans is quite solid, but Cao Yunding is injured, although Yu Hanchao scored 5 goals, but can not hide Shenhua in the veterans to bring new people in the lack of. Wu Xi's comeback has been poor, and Jin Yangyang's performance has been inconsistent. In the Chinese Super League match against Zhejiang, Shenhua narrowly won 1-0.
Zhejiang has returned to normalcy after jumping up to ninth with 25 points from the bottom of the league so far. Two recent 2-1 victories have emphasized their strength. In contrast, Shenhua has won only one of their last three matches, and their strength is on par with Zhejiang. Zhejiang is preparing for the AFC Cup, and has no worries about relegation in the league, but is unlikely to reach the top four, and its prospects for the AFC Champions League in the second half of the season are uncertain.
Zhejiang's forwards Mu Xiekui and Evra make their counterattacks incredibly sharp. If Jiang Shenglong is out, the backline will rely on Jin Yangyang, but he is slow to turn and vulnerable to attack. Shenhua's form has fluctuated since July, relying on Mallet and Yu Hanchao on the offensive side and luck on the defensive side. Dai Weijun has made five substitute appearances without a single outstanding performance, and the job of attracting reinforcements seems to be getting tougher and tougher.
In the eighth-quarter finals, all teams will give their best, unlike the Premier League where draws are considered. Shenhua must be determined to win, the proven 1-0 strategy is no longer applicable. This F.A.C. Cup match will be a real test of Wu Jingui's coaching ability. Zhejiang is not to be underestimated, having just beaten Shandong Taishan in their last match, with the intention of eliminating Shenhua and advancing to the next round. Jordy's tactics are more aggressive, while Wu Jingui is more conservative. With only two foreigners left, Shenhua will face a huge challenge.
