What is the difference in points between one side at the top and the other at the bottom of the Chinese Super League table? Zhejiang demonstrated this vividly when they hosted Shanghai Seaport in the seventh round of the 2023 Chinese Super League season. Although the visitors narrowly won 2-1, this does not truly reflect the difference in strength between the two sides. What really determines the direction of the game are those key players who can turn the tide with their intelligence.
Throughout the game, if we only look at the technical statistics, the home team Zhejiang seems to have a slight advantage. For example, Zhejiang had two more shots on goal than Shanghai, had 12% more ball control, and had a better number of passes and success rate than their opponents. However, Zhejiang took the initiative during the course of the game, with Shanghai harboring the defense most of the time. Javier's team opportunistically used their strength to overwhelm their opponents, only to be beaten by two quick counter-attacks from Shanghai at crucial moments.
Wu Lei's two goals left Zhejiang on the defensive. The first goal came from a free kick by Baitijiang, Wu Lei quickly stepped in and completed the breakthrough. The second goal was scored by Oscar, who made a clever break in the center of the field and quickly moved forward to give Wu Lei an easy assist. So far in the new season, the Zhejiang team has been unable to collect any goals at home, which is a puzzling phenomenon. In this match against Shanghai, they were eager to score, but Shanghai managed to take the three points with calm defense and quick counterattacks.
Javier's team as a whole is not outstanding, maybe not even as good as Zhejiang. As the dominant team with the highest total salary in the Chinese Super League, even if the other players are mediocre, as long as 1 or 2 star players play well, they can easily win the game. Oscar and Wu Lei are just such stars, and their tacit understanding is pleasing to the eye.
Wu Lei's first goal demonstrated the temperament and characteristics of a mature star. Oscar's pass was even more precise, with the outside of his foot skillfully delivering the ball to Wu Lei's feet, easily going over the defender and avoiding a save from the keeper. If not for Wu Lei's slightly weak shot on goal, they could have taken a 3-0 lead.
Shanghai's strength should not be underestimated! As long as Oscar and Wu Lei play at the same level as they did back then, it will be hard for other teams in the Chinese Super League to resist. Once they get better and better, the Super League title seems to be out of reach. The Chinese Super League has entered a state of "madness", and some fans are even calling for the Shanghai trophy to be awarded in advance.
In addition to its strength, Shanghai is always able to seize the right time and place at critical moments, for example, in the previous rounds of the tournament, they were awarded consecutive favorable penalties. It seems to be in a desperate situation, but always be able to fight back, which is also a kind of "soft power".
Shanghai Seaport has now overtaken Shanghai Shenhua at the top of the table and the situation seems difficult to be shaken. Both teams have 17 points, four points ahead of Chengdu Chengdu and Tianjin Jinmenhu. The top four teams are all undefeated. Shanghai is the favorite to win the Chinese Super League and the only suspense could be the AFC Champions League, which could see them fluctuate in the standings if they get distracted.
