Unsurprisingly, Coach Slutsky will, as always, eschew that usual four-guard system on the defensive end. Chen Jinyi, Manafa, Zhu Chenjie, and international player Jiang Shenglong, who just recovered from injury, will build a solid defense. Of the four defenders, Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong will partner in the center backs, while the two foreign wings, Manafa and Chen Jinyi, will guard the two flanks and play as the wingbacks respectively. Yang Zexiang of the national team is on standby as a substitute. It is worth mentioning that the performance of Manafa, who has just returned to the team, is full of expectations.
In the midfield battle, Shanghai Shenhua's center back core, the master of intercepting and stealing - former national football team captain Wu Xi, will undoubtedly take up the heavy responsibility of intercepting and stealing; and he will play alongside the double back, will be the local young talent Wang Haijian. France's Amadou will continue to miss out due to injury. Given that foreign aid player Teixeira will not be able to play due to a ban, it is expected that domestic player Xie Pengfei will take his place as the commander of the offense. Xu Haoyang and Brazilian outside back André Luiz will start the offense on both sides of Xie Pengfei.
As for the forward line, the 37-year-old homegrown ace striker is expected to lead Shanghai Shenhua's charge given Malalele's recent poor form. Mallet will be on standby as a substitute. To summarize, Shanghai Shenhua's starting lineup to face Ulsan HD is expected to be Bao Yaxiong; Chen Jinyi, Manafa, Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong; Wang Haijian, Wu Xi; Xu Haoyang, Xie Pengfei, André Luis.
