The reasons are as follows
In the eighth knockout round of the AFC Champions League, Shanghai was eliminated by the Japanese team Kobe Victory Ship. Shanghai fluctuated in the group stage, and there were contradictions between Hu Erke and the coach. Defender Fu Huan ended the AFC Champions League journey in a hurry without defense.
Hu Erke has always played alone, and so has the championship season. Only with the increase of age, the success rate becomes lower. The heart that wants to win has not changed, but the physical function has changed. Pereira's training and defense are ok, and the attack depends entirely on foreign aid to improvise. The decline of Hu Erke's breakthrough ability also directly reflects the decline of his offensive ability in Shanghai.
Hu Erke also sent a message thanking China, who is about to leave the Super League. Look at Hu Erke now, he must have done more than in the past. At least he is worthy of his salary, and he did bring a Super League champion to Shanghai.
If the Super League team wants to surpass its Japanese and Korean rivals and reach the finals, it needs strong foreign aid in key positions, as did Evergrande. Domestic players are all top-notch, but unfortunately Hong Kong doesn't. Except for Oscar, there is no foreign aid in key positions or foreign aid is not strong. Domestic players have a medium level. Although you can win the occasional game through hard work, you can also try to win the game among your opponents. Diligence can't make up for the technical shortcomings.
However, with the withdrawal of Shanghai from the AFC Champions League, nothing was achieved this season, and the league was fourth, and the FA Cup was eliminated early. Theoretically, you are not qualified to participate in the AFC Champions League next season.
However, because Jiangsu Suning won the Super League this season, and Suning also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, if Suning can win the FA Cup, then Shanghai can participate in the AFC Champions League next season as the fourth place. It can be said that if you have the opportunity to play the AFC Champions League in Shanghai, you have to rely on Suning's achievements in the FA Cup.
Shandong Luneng, another favorite to win the championship, has already led Wuhan Zall 5-0 in the first round of the semi-final, and it is highly possible to advance to the final in the second round. Luneng reached the FA Cup finals twice in a row, but both won the runner-up under the leadership of Li. Now that Hao Wei has taken Li's place, China is expected to reach the final for the third time in a row. Can Shandong Luneng Football Association Cup win the championship?
Against Wuhan Zall, in fact, everyone will understand by looking at the lineup. Luneng is one of the four major foreign AIDS, with Gerdes, Pellet, Fellaini and Moise playing together, and local players such as Hao Junmin, Duan, etc. Look at all the local players in Wuhan Zall. There are five U23 players. Wuhan Zall has been relegated successfully. I don't really want the FA Cup. Being able to reach the semi-finals is a satisfactory result.
And Luneng's Gerdes, when Li led the team, seriously dampened his spirit and fully activated him since Hao Wei took office. He has scored six goals in the FA Cup and is getting better and better. His footwork is great, breaking, stealing and passing. It's just that there is no strong team in the FA Cup, and Geerdes is confident.
Shandong Luneng is indeed stronger than other teams in the FA Cup. Winning the AFC Champions League next season will also give fans an explanation. I think Shandong Luneng is likely to win the championship.