Chinese Super League week one: Five things we learned
SIPG's Brazilian midfielder Oscar (right) in action during a CSL match against Changchun Yatai FC in Shanghai on March 4, 2017. [Photo/VCG] |
Shanghai sides will challenge Guangzhou in 2017
Guangzhou Evergrande entered the season with a relatively unchanged squad from the one that waltzed to a sixth consecutive title in 2016. The two Shanghai sides, however, spent the winter transfer period arming for the coming war and displayed decadent attacking prowess on the opening weekend.
Shanghai SIPG racked up a fourth consecutive win (including ACL games) through dispatching Changchun Yatai 5-1. The Brazilian attacking trio of Elkeson, Hulk, and Oscar balances speed, strength, and experience to devastating effect and shifts the emphasis of the team far from potential defensive frailties.
Crosstown rivals Shanghai Shenhua probably defied even Gus Poyet’s wildest optimisms with a 4-0 home win over Jiangsu Suning. Tevez was involved in all four goals and while he may have lost some pace during his sojourn at Boca Juniors, his passing and budding relationship with Giovanni Moreno proved dangerous throughout.
It is certainly premature to think these Shanghai sides can topple Guangzhou, but they have the firepower to challenge.