Shanghai Shenhua Receive Boost Before Match as Liu Chengyu Returns from Injury Ahead of Clash with Chongqing Tonglianglong

At 19:00 Beijing time on September 6, a key match in the 26th round of the Chinese Super League will take place, with Shanghai Shenhua, whose form has fluctuated this season, visiting promoted side Chongqing Tonglianglong, who have also experienced inconsistent results.

After 25 rounds, Shanghai Shenhua had recorded 11 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses. After a 10-point deduction, they had only 28 points and ranked ninth in the Chinese Super League table. The team had not only seen their title hopes fade, but also faced a difficult challenge in reaching the top four. Shenhua are currently nine points away from the top four, and based on their recent form, moving into that position appears challenging.

Facing promoted Chongqing Tonglianglong in this round, Shanghai Shenhua may have a chance to collect points considering their opponents have gone seven consecutive matches without a win. Before the game, Shenhua also received positive news: national team prospect Liu Chengyu, who had been sidelined with injury, has recovered and traveled with the team to Chongqing, with a chance to feature in the important match.

The 20-year-old Liu Chengyu is regarded as a key local attacking prospect for Shanghai Shenhua. He has distinctive technical qualities, including strong attacking impact and intelligent movement in the final third. He also possesses good explosiveness and acceleration, excels at off-the-ball runs and finishing chances in the box, and has shown reliable finishing ability, making him a relatively rare attacking forward among domestic players. Notably, although he only appeared in 17 Chinese Super League matches for Shanghai Shenhua last season and started nine times, he still scored five goals, showing strong scoring efficiency.

Currently, Shanghai Shenhua's attacking efficiency has been lacking, with their attacking methods appearing somewhat limited and several matches ending with difficulties in creating goalscoring opportunities. Liu Chengyu's return from injury can help strengthen the team's forward line and improve attacking output to some extent. Especially against Chongqing Tonglianglong, who have shown average overall strength and poor recent form, Liu's speed and movement could disrupt the opponent's defensive rhythm and help Shenhua create more attacking opportunities.

Shanghai Shenhua already held an advantage in overall strength compared with Chongqing Tonglianglong, and Liu Chengyu's return before the match provides another positive factor. The team will enter the away match with greater confidence.