Formation change and aggressive attack overwhelmed Shenhua, Xu Zhengyuan used a depleted squad to send Slutsky away

Special Contributor/Shen Jun On the evening of August 2, the 21st round of the Chinese Super League saw a crucial encounter. Liaoning Tieren, missing key players, hosted the match at home. With top scorer Mbenza suspended and starting center-back Felipe out due to a thigh strain, Korean coach Xu Zhengyuan made a bold tactical change. Leading a depleted squad, they used tenacity and smart tactics to defeat the strong Shanghai Shenhua 3-1, erasing the disappointment of the previous round's loss and causing Shenhua's coach Slutsky to resign voluntarily.

In the previous round, Liaoning Tieren suffered a heartbreaking home loss to Qingdao West Coast and also suffered major setbacks. Their top scorer Mbenza was sent off and received an additional four-match suspension. Starting defender Felipe pulled a thigh muscle and will be out for 2-3 weeks. Midfielder Li Haoran was also substituted due to a knee sprain, leaving the team shorthanded for this match. Facing the traditional powerhouse Shanghai Shenhua, most observers expected the depleted Liaoning Tieren to focus on defense and play on the counterattack.

However, surprisingly, the beleaguered Liaoning Tieren did not choose to be conservative or retreat. Instead, they took the initiative with an underdog's determination, waving the offensive flag from the start and using fierce attacks to breach Shenhua's defense. Coach Xu Zhengyuan accurately assessed the situation and targeted the weakness of Shenhua's diamond formation. He boldly adjusted the tactics, abandoning the traditional defensive counterattack approach, and deployed a new formation with two strikers and three midfielders. He sent Jefferson and An Yien as the forward duo, using their speed to continuously exploit the space on Shenhua's flanks, precisely hitting the gaps in the opponent's formation.

The new tactics paid off immediately. The Brazilian striker Jefferson, who had been fully revitalized under Xu Zhengyuan, once again led the attack. In the 8th minute, Yan Dinghao delivered a precise long pass from midfield. Jefferson, with sharp movement, executed a perfect offside trap run, controlled the ball with his right foot, and then struck a left-footed volley into the corner of the net, giving Liaoning Tieren a lightning 1-0 lead. Just four minutes later, Liaoning Tieren created another threat through an offside trap. An Yien scored but was ruled offside, failing to extend the lead. However, the team's offensive momentum had already completely overwhelmed the opponent.

The continuous high-pressure attack kept Shenhua's defense under constant strain. In the 30th minute, An Yien was brought down by a Shenhua player while driving into the penalty area on the right side. The referee immediately awarded a penalty. Bang In-yu calmly converted to make it 2-0. In the second half, the temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius, draining the players' energy. Xu Zhengyuan showed excellent on-the-spot management, making three substitutions in the 65th minute: bringing on Li Haoran, Gao Jiarun, and Zang Yifeng for Yan Dinghao, Pan Ximing, and Dilimulati, ensuring the players on the field had enough stamina and maintaining the team's intensity and rhythm.

Even though substitute Li Haoran accidentally handled the ball and conceded a penalty, allowing Shenhua to pull one back, Liaoning Tieren's attacking rhythm remained unbroken. In the 86th minute, Bang In-yu delivered a brilliant long pass. The lightning-fast Jefferson again showcased his superb offside awareness, sprinting forward to get a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He calmly chipped the ball into the net to complete his brace, sealing the 3-1 victory for his team.

This match was not only a battle of players on the field but also a tactical duel between the two head coaches. Xu Zhengyuan, with his precise tactical planning and flexible adjustments, completely outmaneuvered Shanghai Shenhua's coach Slutsky. After this loss, Shanghai Shenhua suffered their third consecutive league defeat, dropping to the 13th place in the Chinese Super League standings. Slutsky officially announced his resignation at the post-match press conference. Xu Zhengyuan, with this classic tactical victory, once again proved his coaching ability.

After the match, Xu Zhengyuan reviewed the game and highly praised the team's fighting spirit. He admitted that the team's training quality had been very high recently, but they lost several players in the previous round and lost at home. Before this match, the whole team was full of determination. They prepared wholeheartedly throughout the week and perfectly executed the tactical plans from training. 'Every player prepared with heart this week. Their training attitude and execution in attack and defense were outstanding. In the team's most difficult time, we showed strong will to win with this victory. This win belongs to every fighting player,' he said. Regarding the new tactical approach, Xu gave a detailed explanation. He said that due to injuries and suspensions, the team had to flexibly adjust with the available squad. Targeting the characteristics of Shanghai Shenhua's diamond formation, they focused on attacking the flanks. The two-striker setup continuously pinned back the opponent's defense, putting immense pressure on Shenhua's backline. The whole team transferred the training content onto the pitch and ultimately achieved the desired result. He also took a rational view of the team's situation, acknowledging the tight schedule and insufficient rest time. 'Today's victory is worth celebrating, but tomorrow we must forget the result and fully focus on preparing for the next match.'

Next, Liaoning Tieren will travel to the Dalian Suoyuwan Stadium on August 8 to face Dalian Yingbo in a highly anticipated 'Liaoning Derby'. For this tough away match, Xu Zhengyuan has clear awareness and ample preparation. He stated frankly that the average attendance of over 60,000 at Suoyuwan Stadium creates a fiery home atmosphere, which is a great test of the players' mental toughness. Therefore, he demands that his players must strengthen their mental fortitude and withstand the pressure of playing away.