Chongqing Tongliang Dragons: Can the Most Solid Defense Hold Off the Defending Champion?

Journalist Lu Mi reports In the 6th round of the Chinese Super League, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons hosted Shenzhen New Peng City at home. Leveraging tight defense and efficient counterattacks, they won 2-0, securing three consecutive league victories. After six rounds, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons hold an unbeaten record of 4 wins and 2 draws, temporarily ranking second in the standings.

The solid defensive line is the most crucial factor for Chongqing Tongliang Dragons' high ranking. With only 4 goals conceded in 6 rounds, they currently boast the best defensive record in the Chinese Super League this season. Head coach Liu Jianye has built the team with a pragmatic approach, molding a young squad with a sturdy defense.

In the next match, Liu Jianye and Chongqing Tongliang Dragons will face their toughest challenge yet. The defending champion Shanghai Port is the strongest opponent they have encountered away from home so far this season. In the previous six rounds, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons played four matches at home, while their away matches were against Tianjin Tigers and Zhejiang, two teams positioned in the middle and lower parts of the table.

Chongqing Tongliang Dragons, still unbeaten, are undoubtedly the most impressive newly promoted team in the Chinese Super League this season. Their success is attributed to head coach Liu Jianye's meticulous efforts. Known during his playing days for robust defense and active running, Liu Jianye has deeply instilled pragmatic, iron-willed, and efficient principles into the team since taking charge. Considering the team's young average age and limited CSL experience, he tailored a five-back defensive counterattack system centered around two foreign center-backs, emphasizing defensive discipline and counterattack efficiency, allowing young players to grow rapidly within a stable tactical framework.

In the six matches played so far, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons have performed steadily, displaying maturity and composure beyond their age, achieving the best CSL start for Chongqing football with 4 wins and 2 draws. Even more impressive is that the team has conceded only 4 goals, with just 1 conceded in open play, leading the CSL in defensive statistics. Their "iron-solid defense" has become the team's most distinctive hallmark.

On the 17th, at home against Shenzhen New Peng City, Liu Jianye deployed a 5-3-2 formation, heavily fortifying the midfield and defense to limit the impact of the opponent's foreign forwards and cut off their midfield connections. During a stalemate in the first half, Shenzhen New Peng City defender Benković made a handling error and, as the last defender, nervously tackled Kempanoù, resulting in a direct red card from the referee. Chongqing Tongliang Dragons gained a numerical advantage.

After the restart, Liu Jianye decisively adjusted tactics, increasing midfield pressure. In the 47th minute, Chen Chunxin's long-range shot from outside the box deflected into the net, breaking the deadlock with his goal in consecutive rounds. After leading, Tongliang Dragons remained composed, maintaining their rhythm, solidifying defense, and patiently seeking counterattack opportunities. Captain Xiang Yuwang cleverly scored from a rebound, securing his first CSL goal and locking the score at 2-0, decisively ending the match.

Throughout the match, under Liu Jianye's guidance, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons excelled in both offense and defense. Defensively, the five-back system was impregnable; players united to repeatedly neutralize threats against opponent surges. Offensively, counterattacks were efficient and sharp, with strong chance conversion; both goals came from precise tactical coordination and smart player movement. Liu Jianye once again proved with this victory that the young team he built not only possesses iron-willed defense but also mature tactical understanding and strong mental fortitude, making their unbeaten run no accident.

In the 7th round of the CSL, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons will travel away to challenge last season's league champion Shanghai Port. This is the strongest opponent they have faced away from home so far this season, presenting a major test of their combat capability.

Chongqing Tongliang Dragons are taking Shanghai Port seriously and have some understanding of their situation. This season, Shanghai Port has faced an unusual wave of major injuries, with a severely depleted squad that is alarming. Starting with negative points, their title defense path is arduous. Gabriel suffered a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee during the Shanghai derby and has returned to Brazil for surgery; striker Leonardo is also injured. The midfield has been hit devastatingly: Lu Yongtao, Jean Claude, and Yang Shiyuan, three midfielders, were successively injured and substituted in the derby, with the first two requiring recovery time.

Although Shanghai Port has home advantage, their depleted squad has seen declines in both defensive stability and offensive firepower compared to last season. Particularly, the lack of midfield organization severely hampers their transition between attack and defense.

After thorough analysis of the opponent, Chongqing's approach for this away match is also aimed at securing points.

With 4 wins and 2 draws, the unbeaten Chongqing Tongliang Dragons are in excellent form and high spirits. Head coach Liu Jianye has mature tactical ideas and precise in-game adjustments, excelling at overcoming stronger opponents with tailored tactics. After consecutive unbeaten matches, Liu Jianye's confidence has also risen. Another key point is that Chongqing Tongliang Dragons players are generally young, giving them certain physical advantages. In the upcoming dense schedule of matches twice a week, the team's combat effectiveness can be assured.

Based on current conditions, facing Shanghai Port, Chongqing Tongliang Dragons' tactical approach will not change significantly, remaining pragmatic defense plus efficient counterattacks. Additionally, they have recently practiced set plays, as capitalizing on set-piece opportunities is an important way to score. The formation will maintain a five-back system; whether it's 5-4-1 or 5-3-2, Liu Jianye will adjust according to the latest situations of both the opponent and his own team.