Last season, Chengdu Rongcheng's performance was both delightful and regrettable. They often caused trouble for strong teams, defeating Shanghai Port and engaging in a tough battle with Shandong Taishan, even making people believe that they might challenge for the championship at one point. However, when it came to the crucial moments, they almost capsized, losing to Shandong Taishan in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and failing to reach the final, which was truly disappointing for the fans.
It's not that Rongcheng didn't make progress; over the past year, their tactical system has gradually matured, and the team's overall strength has improved significantly. However, stability in critical moments still needs to be strengthened.
Speaking of stability, let's talk about the prospects for the new season. Indeed, Chengdu Rongcheng's goal is not simple: they aim not only to compete for a place in the Chinese Super League but also to perform well in major competitions like the AFC Champions League and the FA Cup, facing the challenge of competing on three fronts. This requires the team to have a deeper lineup and not rely on the performance of just one or two individuals.
At this point, the addition of three new players becomes particularly crucial. First is Liao Lisheng, a name that may be unfamiliar to many fans, but he once played for Evergrande and was an important player in Lippi's eyes. In Chengdu Rongcheng's midfield, he can help alleviate the burden on Luomulo, bringing organizational and defensive capabilities. Previously, while playing for Shandong Taishan, he remained robust and performed well. Therefore, Liao Lisheng's joining is indeed a significant reinforcement for Rongcheng.
Next is Liu Dianzuo's joining. It's evident that Rongcheng has made great efforts to strengthen the goalkeeper position. Although Jian Tao has potential, the stability of young players is concerning. Liu Dianzuo's arrival immediately provides a more reliable option for the team in the goalkeeper position, solving the issue of the second-choice goalkeeper. Fans may remember his performance during his time at Evergrande, where he was experienced, quick in reaction, and particularly impressive in critical moments. It is believed that he can offer significant assistance to Rongcheng.
Then there is Yuan Mincheng, the defender from Changchun Yatai, who adds considerable depth to Rongcheng's defense. Although Rongcheng's defense has been decent in recent seasons, it is sometimes easily breached, especially against teams with strong attacking power, where the defense appears somewhat strained. Yuan Mincheng's arrival undoubtedly strengthens the depth and solidity of Rongcheng's backline. It is hoped that he can cooperate more closely with Zhou Dingyang, Hu Hetao, and others to support Rongcheng's defensive fortress.
For Rongcheng, these signings are indeed very important additions, but what is even more critical is their head coach Xu Zhengyuan. Xu Zhengyuan's tactical system has been proven effective, and the team's home atmosphere is quite good. Especially when facing strong teams, Rongcheng often manages to stage comebacks, demonstrating a fearless attitude towards tough challenges. Xu Zhengyuan abandoned Andriy Shevchenko and chose Paracios, reflecting his clear grasp of the team's overall structure through his trust in the players. Under his leadership, Rongcheng has shown stable performance, naturally raising the expectations of the fans.
Some netizens expressed: "This lineup looks stronger and stronger, with experienced players like Liao Lisheng and Liu Dianzuo, ensuring the midfield and defense of Rongcheng." If they play steadily in the new season, I really think they have a chance to compete for the championship.
Another netizen said: "I am particularly confident in Liu Dianzuo's arrival. As a goalkeeper, he can grasp the rhythm of the game in critical moments, which is a great help to the team."
Some fans believe: "Yuan Mincheng's joining is timely; Rongcheng's backline no longer has to worry as much. Although he is not a superstar, he is undoubtedly a practical player."
Despite the newcomers' arrivals making Rongcheng's lineup more complete, the internal performance of the team cannot be overlooked. Players like Wei Shihao, Hu Hetao, and Zhou Dingyang remain the backbone of the team. Especially Wei Shihao, as everyone knows, he not only has the ability to explode in key games but also to boost the morale of the entire team. Their performances over the past period are enough to make people look forward to the new season of Rongcheng.
However, to say that Rongcheng can compete for the championship this year, there is still a question mark. There are not only strong teams like Shanghai Port and Shandong Taishan in the league, but other teams should not be underestimated either. To secure a place in the competition on three fronts, Rongcheng must perform stably in the regular season and achieve good results in major competitions like the AFC Champions League and the FA Cup. Keep in mind that the opponents in the AFC Champions League are not pushovers, and the FA Cup matches also depend on luck; a moment of carelessness could lead to failure.
Some netizens pointed out: "Rongcheng's lineup has indeed strengthened, but to truly win the Chinese Super League championship, there is still some difficulty. The strength of Port and Taishan is also very strong, and if Rongcheng wants to compete for the title, they need to improve in multiple aspects."
Another netizen holds an optimistic attitude: "If Liao Lisheng and Liu Dianzuo can play steadily and Rongcheng's backline does not make mistakes, the team's strength is sufficient to compete for the championship."
Chengdu Rongcheng's strength has risen significantly in the new season, but to compete for the championship, they still need to maintain stability in multiple aspects. If they can leverage the advantages of the new signings and combine them with the strong performances of existing players, Rongcheng is expected to achieve good results in multi-front battles. Whether they can ultimately compete for the championship depends on whether they can remain calm and steady in key matches.
Are the fans ready to face the challenges of the new season?