In an April 12 Qingdao News report, reporters Liu Wenchao and Chen Zhiwei revealed that the 2021 Chinese Super League season will kick off on April 20th. In the afternoon, Qingdao's soccer team, the "newcomers" of the CSL, held a ceremony to kick off the new season. At the ceremony, nine new players, including Liu Jian, Zhu Ting, Lu Peng, Li Peng, Wang Wei, Ji Snapdragon, Yerfan Yezimujiang, Hu Jiajiakasa, and Song Runtong, gathered together. Although Alexandri has not yet met with the team, through the video link, he has revealed his strong desire to join the team's effectiveness. Qingdao was assigned to Group A of the Guangzhou tournament, along with Guangzhou, Shandong Taishan, Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic, Henan Songshan Longmen, Guangzhou City, Shenzhen and Cangzhou Lions. The other Group B in Suzhou includes Beijing Guoan, Shanghai Harbor, Shanghai Shenhua, Hebei, Tianjin Jinmen Tigers, Dalian People, Changchun Yatai and Wuhan. In a tight schedule, Qingdao will depart for Guangzhou at 13:00 tomorrow afternoon to be fully prepared for the first round of the Chinese Super League on April 21 against Cangzhou Lions.
