September 4: Shanghai Shenhua Suffer 0-1 Upset Loss to Dalian Yingbo in FA Cup, Exit in Quarterfinals as Milojevic’s Debut Struggles

Shanghai Shenhua were defeated 0-1 by Dalian Yingbo in the FA Cup quarterfinals on September 1, exiting at the last-eight stage. The defeat removed another possible route to a trophy for a team that had already dropped to ninth place in the Chinese Super League, leaving the AFC Champions League Two as their only remaining continental competition opportunity this season. Around this match and the team's consecutive struggles in August, some fans called for the club to bring back former coach Slutsky and even urged a boycott of Shenhua merchandise. Behind these reactions was more than just a cup upset.

From a statistical perspective, Shenhua conceded 10 goals across their last three official matches. On August 18, their 0-3 away defeat to Beijing Guoan was new coach Milojevic's debut; on August 28, they lost 2-3 at home to Shandong Taishan, conceding to Maiwulang after only nine seconds and suffering a late winner from Li Xiaoheng.

The rate of conceding 10 goals in three matches is extremely rare in Shenhua's recent schedule. It should be noted that the original material stated “Milojevic led the team to three defeats in four matches and conceded 11 goals,” but official competition records currently only confirm one 0-3 defeat, while the opponents and scores of the other three matches lack authoritative verification.

Likewise, the claim that Mao Yijun led the team to “two consecutive wins” lacks corresponding official match records. Before the data is fully verified, these figures can only be treated as information circulated among fan groups rather than confirmed coaching results.

However, the defensive statistics themselves are solid. According to CSL official statistical standards, Shenhua conceded three, four and three goals respectively in the three matches from August 18 to 28. An average conceding rate of more than three goals per game represents a clear warning trend for a team previously known for its defense.

Looking from another angle, Shenhua had also won 1-0 and 4-1 on August 8 and August 15 respectively, showing that the team was not always out of control but instead experienced a clear defensive fluctuation during a specific period. Whether this was directly related to tactical adjustments after the new coach's arrival or more connected to the availability and form of key players cannot be determined conclusively from the current information.

Personnel changes may explain the recent decline more than the scores themselves. Eleven Shenhua first-team players have contracts expiring on December 31, 2026, including domestic core players such as Wu Xi, Gao Tianyi and Jiang Shenglong, as well as three foreign players: Mineiro, Teixeira and Manafa.

Uncertainty during contract years can affect players' commitment on the pitch and the club's room for action during transfer windows. Meanwhile, Shenhua have 13 players born between 2005 and 2007, accounting for 37% of the squad. The younger structure brings energy but also means fluctuations in experience and consistency.

After taking charge in August, new coach Milojevic attempted to build a double defensive midfield system, but his debut ended in a 0-3 defeat, severely shortening the adjustment period.

The density of the schedule is also an external factor that cannot be ignored. From the August 28 home match against Shandong Taishan to the September 1 away trip to Dalian Yingbo, there were only four days in between. After the physical and mental strain of conceding 10 goals in three matches, the team had to quickly change venues and competition formats to play a single-elimination FA Cup match.

Such scheduling creates challenges for any team's rotation and recovery, while the FA Cup's single-match knockout format itself gives lower-level home teams opportunities for upsets.

For comparison, Shenhua had beaten Dalian Yingbo 4-1 away in the FA Cup on June 28 this year, with the difference in strength clearly reflected in that match. The 0-1 result just over two months later was a major deviation from the teams' recent head-to-head pattern.

Last season, Shenhua advanced from the FA Cup quarterfinals after a 2-1 away win over a China League One team and did not suffer such an early exit. Meanwhile, Shandong Taishan, who also changed coaches during the same period, have won four of their last five matches and continued to recover, creating a direct contrast with Shenhua's consecutive defeats after their coaching change.

However, it should be noted that whether a single cup match result can represent a long-term trend is a judgment that requires caution.

From a rules perspective, Shenhua are not already “empty-handed in all competitions.” The team has confirmed qualification for the AFC Champions League Two group stage beginning on September 17, with Tampines Rovers as their first-round opponent. This competition remains a formal honor they can pursue in the remaining season. Nine CSL rounds remain, and Shenhua sit ninth with 28 points. Although the title race is out of reach, there is no clear relegation pressure, and the remaining results will directly affect the club's evaluation of next season's investment.

The concentration of fan frustration has practical reasons. Consecutive heavy defeats, expiring contracts of key players, uncertainty over foreign player futures and a new coach still trying to establish himself all occurred at the same time in late August. The FA Cup exit simply provided a clear outlet for emotions. The original material mentioned fans calling for Slutsky's return; Slutsky was highly regarded during his previous spell coaching Shenhua, but his current coaching situation and contract status are not within confirmed information, and the club has not officially confirmed any plan to contact him again.

As for calls to “boycott merchandise,” their spread and number of participants cannot currently be confirmed, so they should not be regarded as the overall attitude of Shenhua supporters.

What is clear is that Shenhua's current challenge is not just about the result of one match, but a situation where multiple issues are tightening simultaneously. The continued defensive concessions need to be tested through actual performances in the CSL and AFC Champions League Two to determine whether they are short-term fluctuations or structural problems; contract negotiations for players in their final contract years will enter a key stage before the end of the season; and whether Milojevic's tactical system can find stable output within limited adjustment time will determine the team's direction for the rest of the campaign.

The AFC Champions League Two opening round on September 17 will be the next official milestone. Squad selection and match results at that point will provide more meaningful information than a single cup match. Before then, any conclusion that the team has “completely failed” or that it “must change coaches” goes beyond what currently confirmed facts can support.

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