On July 3, the night of Beijing, that summer night in 1999, the 14th round of the Chinese Super League ushered in a key matchup, as Shandong Luneng Taishan will welcome the powerful Shanghai Port at home.
This season, Shandong Luneng Taishan is experiencing an eventful season. From the coach to the core players, the team's overall strength has declined significantly, and the status is also unstable. Compared to previous seasons, this season's Luneng is very different from its rivals. After the first 13 rounds of competition, Shandong Luneng achieved 5 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses, accumulating 21 points, ranking fifth in the Chinese Super League standings. However, under the leadership of Korean coach Cui Kangxi, the team has not lost since May 1, and has remained undefeated for nine consecutive rounds, as the team has gradually found a winning rhythm.
Facing Shanghai Port, who won all of their first 13 rounds, Choi Kang-hee will do whatever it takes to prove himself, even at the expense of the strongest starting lineup in his mind. Here is a speculation on Luneng's starting lineup for this match.
Goalkeeper position, naturally by the main Wang Dalei town; defensive end, Cui Kangxi may continue to sacrifice the common four-guard formation, Liu Yang, Zheng Zheng, Shi Ke, Tong Lei is expected to serve as the first four defenders. Among them, Zheng Zheng and Shi Ke will continue to partner center back; Liu Yang and Tong Lei may serve as side back.
In the midfield, due to the absence of South Korean international Sun Junho, Luneng's main midfielder at center back will be guested by former Guangzhou R&F defender Huang Zhengyu, partnered by former Evergrande midfielder Liao Lixiang. Before the double midfield, Brazilian star Moises is expected to act as the front-field commander, formulating tactics and leading Luneng's attack line; beside him, naturalized internationals Fernando and Chen Pu are expected to join forces in the attack, forming a front-field double striker with Moises to provide firepower support for Luneng's attack line. It is worth mentioning that Fernando, who returned from injury, is expected to break the goal drought for Luneng in the last round.
On the forward line, due to the injury of Brazilian star Cressan, Belgian star Fellaini may face a crisis in his debut, replaced by Shandong Luneng's local striker, who will carry the burden of attack.
To summarize, the expected starting lineup of Shandong Luneng against Shanghai Port is as follows: Wang Dalei; Liu Yang, Zheng Zheng, Shi Ke, Tong Lei; Huang Zhengyu, Liao Lisheng; Moises, Fernando, Chen Pu; Fellaini.
