September 6: Any Team Can Lose, But Is Losing to Chengdu Rongcheng Absolutely Unacceptable?

The evening of September 6 at Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium is destined to be a noisy night. Before Chinese Super League Round 26 officially begins, Henan fans have already prepared their support, and the familiar slogan is spreading again among supporters: “Anyone can lose, but we cannot lose to Rongcheng.”

Long-time CSL fans will inevitably feel some emotion when hearing those words. The rivalry between these two teams did not develop overnight; it is an old debt built through years of battles on the pitch. In previous years, the slogan felt inspiring because Hanghai Stadium was once known as a place where strong teams struggled, and the Central Plains side specialized in challenging opponents. But in this year's situation, the phrase carries a sense of stubbornness mixed with sadness.

Putting aside fan emotions, let us look at Henan's true situation this season. Their journey has been a difficult and uninspiring road. They spent the first half of the season fighting in the relegation zone, and many fans still remember the pressure of fighting simply to survive. After barely escaping danger, they hoped the second half of the season would bring more enjoyable football, but instead the team's energy faded.

Henan's recent results have clearly declined, with multiple rounds without a victory. Draws have become routine, and defeats have gradually become common. Against strong teams they collapse, against mid-table opponents they struggle, and even against weaker sides they cannot secure three points reliably. Results seem to depend on the day's form, with performances left largely to chance.

Why has the team fallen to this point? Years of fighting on multiple fronts have drained their resources. With a thin squad and insufficient rotation options, the players' physical reserves have been exhausted. Once fitness disappears, confidence naturally fades. The former Henan team that ran relentlessly and fought for every inch is gone, replaced by slower movement, hesitant challenges, and distracted defending. They often cannot protect a lead, cannot break deadlocked situations, and have little hope of completing comebacks once they fall behind.

A team that can be taken advantage of even by ordinary mid-to-lower table opponents is now raising its voice to declare a battle against title-contending Rongcheng. Rather than a challenge, it is more like an attachment to past glory. In previous years, saying “do not lose to Chengdu” came from genuine confidence in taking points at Hanghai Stadium and backed by a tough defense; this year, the same words feel more like a determined effort despite limited ability.

Looking back at Chengdu Rongcheng on the other side, the story is completely different.

In the previous round, Rongcheng comfortably defeated Liaoning Iron Man at Phoenix Mountain Stadium. The team's mentality has shown the confidence and resilience of a championship contender, and their tactical system has become highly developed. Even with attacking focal point Felipe unavailable against Henan due to suspension, Rongcheng remains calm.

The heavy reliance on a single foreign player that existed in earlier years has long been left behind. Today's Rongcheng emphasizes collective movement and multiple attacking options, with a balance between attack and defense that is intimidating. They have experienced ups and downs and repeatedly faced opponents' targeted strategies, yet they have remained firmly at the top. This is not due to luck, but to the foundation built through difficult matches; their championship profile has become firmly established.

This is the most realistic picture of the current matchup. One side is a leader aiming for the title, full of confidence and fully prepared; the other is a mediocre mid-table team with poor form, little left to pursue, and exhausted physical condition.

Many fans can be blinded by so-called historical grudges, believing that rivalry alone can produce extraordinary fighting power once players enter the field. Indeed, Henan will need no extra motivation at Hanghai Stadium on September 6. Facing Rongcheng, the players will carry memories of the past, fight hard, compete for every ball, and produce a much higher intensity than usual in an attempt to disrupt Rongcheng's attack. This may be the match they most want to win and the one they fight hardest in this season.

But on a football pitch, real strength is what matters most. Rivalry can make players run a few extra steps early on and raise team motivation, but it cannot erase the huge gap in ability between the two sides. Passion can challenge an established tactical system, and determination can try to compensate for a major fitness shortage, but an exceptional performance ultimately cannot reverse the overall balance of power.

This year's phrase “anyone can lose, but not Chengdu” is no longer the confident declaration of victory it once was. It is more like Henan's final form of home pride and the dignity they must maintain in front of an old rivalry. The players will give everything and leave no regrets, but in the face of a clear difference in strength, emotion can create a thunderous atmosphere in the stands, yet it cannot determine the score on the scoreboard.