In the second round of the new Chinese Super League (CSL) season, Shandong Luneng faced the powerful Beijing Guoan, and the coaching team skillfully hid most of their starters in order to preserve their strength in the knockout round of the AFC Champions League. Core players such as Peng Xinli, Kazaishvili, Li Yuanyi and Mateus Pato rotated on the pitch, while Cressan, who was unable to play due to injury, was replaced by substitutes such as Song Long, Bi Jinhao, Zhao Jianfei and Jia Feifan.
Surprisingly, even with Choi Kang-hee's massive rotation, one of the team's most decorated veterans was overlooked and became a fixture in the team. The 36-year-old right wing veteran, Zhang Zhi, despite being well known to Chinese fans, did not get a single minute of playing time from start to finish of the game, becoming the team's useless man. What's even more heartbreaking is that Zhang Zhi didn't get a chance to play in the first two rounds of the new season in this match against Beijing Guoan. This undoubtedly shows that, with the age, this Luneng's meritorious veterans in Cui Kangxi's tactical system has been reduced to an insignificant audience.
Zhang Qi, as the "loyal general" of Shandong Luneng, has never left the team since his debut in 2010. From a youngster to the twilight of his career, Zhang Chi has played for Luneng for 13 years, and has dedicated almost his entire youth to the team. He may end his career at Luneng, realizing the dream of "one man, one city". Zhang Zhi, as a defender, has outstanding physical quality, solid defense, and creativity in front of the field. He has amazing speed and strong explosive power, and at his peak, he can often create offensive opportunities for the team with his personal breakthroughs. So far, Zhang Zhi has contributed 10 goals and 10 assists to Luneng, with countless key passes. Although Zhang Zhi is 36 years old this year, but with his self-discipline, his athletic performance has not declined significantly. In the current state, he may not be able to serve as Luneng's main force, but in the team rotation, he as a substitute for the "odd man out" is undoubtedly an excellent choice. However, it seems that Cui Kangxi no longer trusts the veteran, and has placed him on the bench for two consecutive games, only as an embellishment of the team. Such a "loyal minister and good general" can only watch helplessly in his later years, which is perhaps the ruthlessness of competitive sports.
