The Chengdu-Chongqing derby in the Chinese Super League ended in a draw, valuing harmony over victory.

Reporter Lu Mi reports In the 18th round of the Chinese Super League, multiple games were postponed due to adverse weather, but the "Chengdu-Chongqing Derby" arrived on schedule, becoming the biggest attraction of the round.

In the first leg, Rongcheng drew 3-3 away against Tongliang Long. This time, they obviously intended to secure a win and, taking advantage of Tongliang Long's injuries and suspensions, aimed for a decisive victory. However, the outcome was not as expected. Similar to their previous match against Hainiu, Rongcheng found themselves in a tough positional battle. After Felipe broke the deadlock, the team struggled to add more goals, giving Tongliang Long an opportunity to equalize.

0-0—the two sides faced each other twice this season, both ending in draws. The two editions of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Derby" attracted over 100,000 live spectators combined, showcasing the unique charm of southwestern football.

This match maintained the fierce atmosphere typical of the Chengdu-Chongqing derby. Chengdu Rongcheng fielded all their main players except for Yousa, who was absent due to injury. In contrast, Chongqing Tongliang Long faced an unfavorable personnel situation: starting center-back Ngadeu was suspended due to a red card in the previous round, midfielder Li Zhenquan was still recovering, the starting lineup included four U21 players—two of whom were making their CSL debut—and they couldn't even fill the entire squad list. On paper, the advantage clearly lay with Chengdu Rongcheng.

At the start of the game, Chongqing Tongliang Long adopted an overall defensive posture. Chengdu Rongcheng pushed their formation beyond the halfway line, implementing high pressing and gradually applying pressure on Tongliang Long's midfield and defense through layered advances. Although it appeared to be a battle between attack and defense, Rongcheng faced difficulties breaking through a nine-man defensive wall. From the midfield onward, both sides engaged in frequent physical battles for ball possession. Fortunately, under the stalemate, captain Wei Shihao broke through on the flank and delivered a precise 45-degree cross to find Felipe. After heading the ball and then converting the rebound, Felipe finally broke the deadlock.

After taking the lead, Rongcheng continued to press forward, creating multiple threatening attacks. Felipe repeatedly challenged Tongliang Long's defense and came close to extending the lead. The strategy was clearly inspired by their first encounter. On one hand, they were wary that Tongliang Long still had key players like Kenpamu, Xiang Yuwang, and Chen Chunxin on the bench, waiting to counterattack in the second half. On the other hand, they hoped to widen the gap, forcing Tongliang Long to push their formation forward and create more space for themselves. However, Tongliang Long, also planning a second-half comeback, tightened their defensive lines and prevented Rongcheng from achieving their goal.

After the break, Chongqing Tongliang Long quickly adjusted their tactics, intensifying their high press and flank attacks. At halftime, Liu Jianye decisively brought on Kenpamu to enhance forward linkage and counterattack speed. Just three minutes into the second half, Tongliang Long executed an efficient tactical combination. Zhang Yingkai delivered a trademark powerful throw-in, landing the ball precisely near the penalty spot. Dibaba rose for a gentle header, while Han Pengfei missed his clearance, allowing the ball to curl into the bottom corner, leveling the score at 1-1 and completely turning the tide of the match.

In fact, after the equalizer, the contest truly intensified. There were more tackles, counterattacks, and threatening goal-scoring opportunities from both sides. Rongcheng even hit the crossbar twice. Their total number of shots far exceeded Tongliang Long's, and Felipe produced several high-quality attempts but unfortunately failed to net a winner. In the closing stages, under humid and rainy conditions, both teams continued to battle fiercely, maintaining a high offensive and defensive tempo. Ultimately, neither could find the net again, and the score remained 1-1 until the final whistle.

Both editions of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Derby" ended in draws, but the teams delivered thrilling contests. With over 100,000 fans attending the two matches, the roars and cheers echoed throughout, setting a top-tier example for CSL derbies. Although neither game produced a decisive winner, the intense process and rich football atmosphere embodied the rising strength of southwestern football.

It is noteworthy that this draw marked Rongcheng's second consecutive league draw, with both matches following a strikingly similar script: Rongcheng scored first but failed to hold the lead, eventually being pegged back by the opponent. In both games, Rongcheng found themselves in tough battles against compact defenses. Despite dominating possession and shot counts, their conversion rate was low, making it difficult to break through well-organized defensive lines.

Beyond the offensive issues, Aloisi's tactical adjustments in this match also sparked considerable controversy. Facing a stalemate, Aloisi used only one substitution throughout the game. When the attack repeatedly stalled and adjustments in energy and tempo were urgently needed, his conservative substitution strategy failed to change the course of the match through personnel rotations.

Looking at the CSL standings, Chengdu Rongcheng has remained at the top of the table this season, holding a massive 14-point lead over second-placed Chongqing Tongliang Long. With the remaining fixtures, almost no team can threaten Rongcheng's championship position. It can be said that Rongcheng's path to the title this season is very clear. However, such a large points advantage does not mean the team can afford to relax. Aside from the league, Rongcheng also has the FA Cup to pursue. They need to maintain a resilient core in the upcoming schedule, consolidate their leading position, and deliver more dominant performances to continue showcasing their strength as a top team.