In the sweltering heat of Wuhan, the Chinese Super League in the afternoon not only tested the players, but also tested every fan who watched the game. In this matchup, both teams have sacrificed a three-center-back system, but judging from the results, the three towns that temporarily changed the formation still owe some fire.
Four-backs or three-centered? That's the question
In the first two rounds of the Chinese Super League when Danilo was not available, Ricardo has always arranged four defenders for the backline, with Umi Tijiang and Park Zhizhu partnering in the central defender, Jiang Zhipeng on the left, and Deng Hanwen and Wang Yi each playing a right fullback. With a back four, our midfield was able to provide more support up front, with Luis Enrique getting the back of the net in the box and Romario playing with pace on the wings. From the Chinese Super League to the warm-up matches, this style of play seems to be doing well.
But yesterday after Danilo's return, Ricardo was unwilling to "abandon" the good seedling of Umitijan, and changed the formation to three central defenders, which inevitably gave up his martial arts. First up is Umitijan, who has clearly played awkwardly at right centre-back and has been unsuccessful in linking up with Darlan on several occasions. Thanks a little more to Park Ji-so, there was a scene in the match where it was evident that Dahlan was clearly unhappy with him after a mistake. At this time, Park Ji-so, the good brother of Wumi Tijiang, hurriedly stepped forward to comfort him. Don't look at a small comfort. This is crucial for a young player to let go of his inner baggage, and we also saw that Wumi Tijiang gave up his life to block Lin Liangming's must-score goal.
In addition, Danilo did show the strength of the team's first value, and he was capable enough in heading and balling. After his return, the four-centre-back system with two foreign players should also be considered by Ricardo. Wumitijan's performance this season is indeed amazing, but in the case of the return of foreign aid, whether to stick to the three-center-back style of play of these three or continue to play with a back four, Ricardo has to face this "happy" choice.
The front line is in a hurry, who can break the game?
Enrique, who we focused on in the preview, was a little embarrassed yesterday, and he couldn't take advantage of Mamadou and Ngadeu's physical confrontation, and even was directly knocked to the ground by Bai Yang. In these rounds, his role is also obvious, and it is obviously unrealistic to expect Enrique to take the ball and transfer, depending on whether he can eat the "cake" given by his teammates in the penalty area.
And Romario on the left side also turned off the fire yesterday, not only did he not see him on the defensive end, but there were few breakthroughs on the offensive end. This combination of gods and ghosts really tests the hearts of fans. In contrast, another foreign player, Darlan, is playing better and better, with the transfer of retreat and the running with the ball to connect the team's attack, and the team's most threatening chance to score is also created by him running 30 meters with the ball alone.
However, the statistics of the team's 7 shots on goal and 1 shot on target are a bit eye-catching. When it was time to attack, Ricardo also brought on Zhang Hui and Tao Qianglong, and the two created several chances. But on the final blow, the team was always close to fire. In the case of Eiffelding being called up and Liu Ruofan being injured, the depth of the squad is a fait accompli, how to solve the offensive problem? Relying on the lineup to change the activation of foreign aid is undoubtedly the first choice, and yesterday Romario took the ball and the opponent's two defenders immediately leaned over to help defend, even if he can break through, it is undoubtedly a huge drain on physical fitness. In the case that the situation cannot be opened, I believe that young players should also be a solution, Min Zixi, who attended the press conference and scored a world wave in the warm-up match, and even Zhang Hui and Tao Qianglong, who performed well as substitutes yesterday, should be considered by Ricardo.
The defeat at home after the big win is undoubtedly a huge gap for the team and the fans, but thinking about a solution is the most important thing. There is not much time to complain and complain, and the next round of home games on April 4 is coming soon. How will the Cangzhou Lions team solve the problem?