How did Rongcheng transform from a rising team into a strong contender and survive the grueling schedule?

Reporter Lu Mi reports On the night of September 26, Chengdu Rongcheng secured a 3-3 draw away to Zhejiang, losing the top position by a two-point margin. Considering the current squad depth, it’s remarkable that they have endured the tough August and September schedule while keeping stable performance. At present, Rongcheng ranks second with 16 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses, totaling 55 points. With 4 league matches remaining, they remain in contention for the title. This team, promoted to the Super League only in 2022, has shown astonishing consistency this season, especially defensively, conceding just 22 goals in 26 rounds, the fewest in the league.

From the start of this season’s preparation period, Chengdu Rongcheng was fully aware of the challenges ahead. Throughout winter training, every player worked extremely hard and approached every session very professionally. However, despite all plans, the long-term absence of Carlon was unexpected. With top ambitions in both the league and FA Cup, as well as aiming to showcase the Chengdu spirit in the AFC Champions League, relying on just four foreign players has posed significant challenges for Rongcheng.

Although no new players arrived during the summer transfer window, the current squad and player performances remain very stable. From the foreign players’ perspective, the four imports have performed excellently, providing a crucial foundation for Chengdu Rongcheng’s success. Striker Felipe started 25 of 26 Super League matches, scoring 12 goals and assisting 3 times; in the AFC Champions League Elite Round, he played twice and scored twice; in the FA Cup, he appeared 4 times, maintaining full attendance this season. Felipe has consistently scored double digits for several seasons, delivering steady output. This season, he scored twice against Shandong Taishan and added two goals in a key match versus Shanghai Port, becoming the team’s “anchor.” Even in matches where he didn’t score, Felipe’s active runs and clever thinking created numerous attacking chances, making him indispensable. As a result, he was named the best player of August.

Romulo, as the team’s attacking pivot, has appeared 25 times in the Super League this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists; he contributed 2 assists in the AFC Champions League Elite Round; and scored 3 goals in 3 FA Cup appearances. Romulo is technically versatile, has strong dribbling skills, and excellent vision for passing, making him the undisputed midfield core of the team and one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the Super League today.

Defender Timo, nicknamed the “Sword-bearing Guard,” has made 24 Super League appearances this season, scoring 4 goals and assisting twice; started twice in the AFC Champions League with 1 assist; and appeared twice in the FA Cup. Timo is not only a defensive pillar for Rongcheng but also frequently carries the ball forward, creating surprises in attack.

Wing-back Goulfinkel is one of the tactical cores of Xu Zhengyuan’s “dual-wing attack.” This season, he has played 24 Super League matches, scoring 2 goals and assisting 5 times; started twice in the AFC Champions League group stage; and appeared 3 times in the FA Cup, contributing 2 assists. His ability to make overlapping runs on the flank significantly boosts the team’s offensive output.

Carlon, the foreign player introduced by Chengdu Rongcheng at the start of the year, has only played 5 matches this season without scoring. This, however, highlights the excellent performance and stability of the current foreign players. Throughout this intense, high-pressure season with lofty goals, they have maintained a very high appearance rate and strong performances, reflecting not only their talent but also their professionalism.

Chengdu Rongcheng’s defensive performance this season has been impressive, conceding only 22 goals in 26 rounds, averaging 0.84 goals against per game, making them the only team in the Super League with an average below one goal conceded per match so far.

The defensive system crafted by Xu Zhengyuan centers on dynamic coverage, employing a “man-marking plus zonal” defensive strategy. Led by Timo, the three-center-back formation has kept 10 clean sheets this season, building an “ironclad defense.” At Chengdu Rongcheng, defense is not solely the responsibility of defenders or defensive players; it starts from the front line, where the three forwards provide effective delay and disruption for the backline. Additionally, the left and right wings, as well as both front and back lines, actively cover teammates and contest second balls. Notably, Rongcheng’s high success rate in winning second balls this year is a key factor in their defensive solidity.

Another hallmark of Rongcheng’s defense is its cohesiveness and discipline. The team’s defensive error rate is only one-third of the Super League average, demonstrating players’ deep understanding and strict execution of defensive tactics. Even when facing strong teams like Shanghai Port and Beijing Guoan, this defensive line remains highly focused and stable. Rongcheng’s defensive philosophy is to compress the formation as much as possible. “Not conceding” is always the team’s primary objective and the style Xu Zhengyuan has built. Defensively, players consistently apply enough pressure to make it difficult for opponents to find breakthroughs against Rongcheng.

At the final defensive position, the goalkeeper role, Chengdu Rongcheng has also excelled this year. The goalkeeping position is effectively “double insured,” with Liu Dianzuo and Jian Tao each bringing unique strengths and characteristics, together forming the team’s last line of defense.

Liu Dianzuo has performed outstandingly this season, especially in April when he was named the Super League’s best goalkeeper of the month. In six matches, he faced 20 shots on target and saved 17, achieving an 85% save rate, helping the team concede only 3 goals. In the league match against Zhejiang on September 26, despite conceding 3 goals, Liu made several remarkable saves that helped the team secure a hard-fought point.

Backup goalkeeper Jian Tao has also shown strong performances. In the AFC Champions League match against Ulsan HD, despite a rare fumble, Jian quickly regained focus and made a crucial save just as the opponent was about to control the ball, demonstrating excellent mental resilience and quick reflexes. In that game, Jian made 8 saves, including 3 inside the penalty area. Although he has had limited appearances this season, Jian has proven on the AFC stage that he possesses a strong mentality and can reliably guard the goal.

Several national team players in Chengdu Rongcheng’s squad have played important roles this season, especially stepping up in key matches. Wei Shihao, one of the team’s attacking cores, has been impressive this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in the league, showing high efficiency. Hu Hetao has also performed well and has been a regular in the national team. Although he missed some matches mid-season due to injury, he still appeared 17 times this season, scoring once and assisting 3 times, working diligently in his role and demonstrating the quality expected of a national player.

Captain Zhou Dingyang is undoubtedly the soul of the team. Except for suspension periods, Zhou has played every match this season and has repeatedly topped the Super League’s running distance charts. Recently, Zhou has scored in consecutive games, leading the team steadily through a congested schedule. Partnering with Zhou in midfield is Yang Mingyang, another national team player highly praised by Xu Zhengyuan. Yang’s energy and coverage complement Zhou naturally. This season, Yang has appeared 22 times in the league, scoring 2 goals.