70' Crisis: Jiangsu Suning’s strange 2019 opening

One month into 2019 CSL, Jiangsu Suning delivered 2 victories and 1 lose in the first 3 rounds. Defeating Tianjin TEDA and Wuhan Zall at home, and losing to Shanghai SIPG away was quite standard result. However, things getting different in 2019 from its surface.

First, the average age of starting XI is almost 30.

• Wu Xi - 30
• Eder - 32
• Teixeira - 29
• Wang Song - 36
• Ji Xiang - 29
• Paletta - 33

Jiangsu, since promoted to CSL, was famous for its use of young players and their infinite power. However, when it comes to 2019, as we said in previous post, the squad gets matured, we are more likely to experience power issue in late match. In the two home matches versus TEDA and Zall, we conceded 3 goals after 70' even in 11–10 situation, and was in super dangerous till the final countdown. Olaroiu never seems to substitute players when we are ahead in terms of score. Jiangsu didn’t used three substitutions in all 3 matches. And even worse, most subs were in late match just for lagging. Jiangsu won’t have to U23 policy until May because of national call up. But I still believe it’s pragmatic to replace 36yo Wang Song with guys like Zhang Lingfeng or Gao Tianyi in mid-match.

Second, while offense side is as sharp as last year, our defense is no longer solild. 6 goals conceded in first 3 matches, 3 from SIPG’s blitzkrieg and 3 from weaker sides' catching up. There were various reasons with these goals but our wingbacks stayed unimproved as last year at all.

Well, enough for the negative parts, we do have gains in the opening. Xie Pengfei, almost had his first hat-trick against SIPG, was called up to China NT. Wu Xi and Wang Song remained in good form, especially for Wang Song, who scored in 3rd round and kept his 17 year top-flight goal streak.

Ramires was back in team and joined regular training. Since Teixeira and Paletta’s position were solid, it’s likely Ramires will rotate Eder in some match.

Huang Zichang was still in his long recovery process. At least two months more were expected.

Today Suning will face Beijing Guoan at Workers' Stadium. The offense of home team is great challenge to Gu Chao and his teammates.