Port: Key period for CSL title race with squad rotation for AFC Champions League; Muscat's talks with Wanderers collapse

Special contributor/Li Yun In the 27th round of the CSL, Port preserved their position at the top of the standings with a dramatic 4-3 victory. Rongcheng and Shenhua also won their matches this round, keeping Port’s lead over them at 2 and 3 points respectively. Given the intense title race, it naturally impacts Port’s showing in the AFC Champions League Elite.

In the away match against Qingdao Hainiu on the evening of the 17th, Port conceded a goal to Rankelzer within 11 minutes of kickoff. Port has now allowed goals in 14 consecutive matches. Their last clean sheet was nearly four months ago, when they beat Dalian Pro 3-0 in the league. Since then, defensive performances in both league and AFC competitions have been worrying. Not only did Qingdao Hainiu score three times against Port, but lower-ranked teams like Shenzhen Pengcheng, Wuhan Three Towns, and Meizhou Hakka have also found the net against them. By round 27, Port has scored 67 goals, the highest in the CSL, but conceded 41 goals, a significant gap compared to title rivals Chengdu Rongcheng (23) and Shanghai Shenhua (32).

In the match against Qingdao Hainiu, Port’s first two goals conceded were related to individual errors in key positions. The first goal came from Li Shuai losing his marking on Rankelzer; the second resulted from a defender’s inadequate clearance, allowing Rankelzer a second shot opportunity. The late goal by Song Wenjie was due to Port’s defense failing to mark tightly, causing chaos in the penalty area and giving Song a chance to score on the rebound.

Regarding the defensive issues, head coach Muscat believes the team’s formation dropped too deep and played overly cautiously, giving opponents more opportunities to control possession and organize attacks. Forward Leonardo emphasized that defense requires improvement from the entire team, stating, “It’s not just one player’s responsibility.”

Despite defensive instability, Port’s offense performed well. Leading striker Leonardo scored twice against Hainiu, netting 8 goals in the last 4 league matches. He has risen to second place in the CSL top scorer chart, just behind Shandong Taishan’s Kazaishvili. If he maintains this form, the Brazilian has a strong chance to win the CSL Golden Boot again after the 2023 season. On competing with Kazaishvili, Leonardo said he would be happy to win the top scorer award but would also be pleased if Kazaishvili won because “he is one of my best friends.” However, he remains focused on winning the league title.

On the 21st, Port will host Machida in the AFC Champions League Elite. In the previous round, Port managed a draw away against Hiroshima, finally ending their losing streak against Japanese teams.

Rumors about Muscat’s possible departure have new developments. According to multiple UK media sources, negotiations between Muscat and the Wanderers have broken down because Muscat insists on coaching Port through the remainder of the CSL season. Muscat had reached a preliminary agreement with the Wanderers, who were willing to pay Shanghai Port a seven-figure compensation (£1.5 million), but the deal ultimately fell through. Muscat took charge of Port last year on a 1+1 contract, and after winning the league last season, he extended his contract for two more years.

After the match against Qingdao Hainiu, Port flew back to Shanghai. On the 21st, they will host their first home game of this year’s AFC Champions League against Japan’s Machida team. Machida has drawn both matches in the first two rounds of this season’s AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

Gustavo, a key player in the AFC Champions League Elite, received a red card in the last match for a foul considered violent conduct. Besides the automatic one-match suspension, he has been handed an additional two-match ban and will miss this round’s game.

In the previous two AFC Champions League Elite matches, Leonardo did not play in one and was used as a substitute for about 30 minutes in the other. Will he start in this round? Given the current situation, probably not, as the league title race is more important. On the 26th, Port will face a crucial away match against Shandong Taishan. Muscat will consider player rotation and it is certain that some key players will rest in the match on the 21st, with substitutes like Li Shenglong, Kuai Jiwen, Li Xinxiang, and Chen Wei expected to get playing time.