Super Cup: New Coach's Debut, Beijing Guoan's First Test of 2026

Special Contribution/Song Ci At 3:30 PM on March 1, 2026, the Chinese Football Association Super Cup will take place at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center. Last season's CFA Cup winner, Beijing Guoan, will compete against the league titleholder, Shanghai Port. This is the inaugural official game for Guoan's newly appointed manager Montgomery and represents the team's first major test after its winter squad restructuring.

Since his official appointment on January 8 and his public introduction at Workers' Stadium on January 12, new head coach Montgomery has led the team through three phases of training: physical conditioning in Haikou, an overseas training camp in Thailand, and final preparations in Suzhou. According to insiders, Montgomery's tactics do not solely focus on possession-based play but emphasize rapid transitions between attack and defense, particularly the speed of pressing after losing the ball. The training intensity has been high, with some details leaving a deep impression on the players. After taking over, Montgomery has systematically studied Guoan's past matches, gaining an in-depth understanding of key players like Fabio, Dawan, Zhang Yuning, and Zhang Xizhe. He has also quickly assessed both new and existing squad members while instilling his tactical philosophy. His understanding of the team has now progressed from theoretical to practical.

Speaking about the Super Cup, Montgomery first stated that this is the team's first official match of the new season, and all players are looking forward to this highly competitive contest. Through winter training, he and the team have gotten to know each other, and new signings have used this opportunity to integrate into the new environment. Currently, all players are well-prepared.

Montgomery then added frankly: "The opponent is very strong. Facing such a rival is an excellent opportunity for us to test ourselves. They were last season's league champions and have already played two official matches, whereas this is our first. I hope we can perform to our capabilities and play a good game."

Regarding his past numerous encounters with Shanghai Port's head coach Muscat, Montgomery said: "Muscat and I have faced each other many times in the past. This upcoming match is not about winners or losers for either of us; it's a great chance to continue our past rivalry. For me, competing for a trophy in my first official match is a unique experience, and I hope to lift this cup."

After the conclusion of last season, several players departed Beijing Guoan, leading to a squad revamp. Among the original five foreign players, only Fabio and Dawan remain. Three new foreign signings—Conte, Ramos, and Nkollolo—along with five domestic additions including Ru Zinan and Abuduhaimiti, have joined the club.

Based on winter training observations, the new signings are integrating quickly. Conte and Dawan form a solid defensive midfield partnership, Ramos strengthens the backline, and Nkollolo enhances the wing attack. After several warm-up matches, the team's overall coordination is showing initial promise. Although the defense still requires further refinement, the overall condition is quite good. Regarding this, new head coach Montgomery commented: "I think all the players are blending in well. You can judge the quality of an environment from many details. Both the players and staff have put in great effort, which is crucial for any team. The atmosphere within our squad is like a big family, and I am very proud to have such a team."

Before the start of the 2026 Chinese Super League season, facing a strong opponent like Shanghai Port provides a valuable opportunity to assess Beijing Guoan's midfield solidity, defensive stability, and wing penetration. It is foreseeable that the battle for midfield control will dictate the match's flow. The combination of Conte and Dawan, in particular, warrants attention for its potential to enhance transition efficiency and midfield interception intensity.

Following changes in management structure and coaching staff adjustments, Beijing Guoan's overall approach for the 2026 season has become more pragmatic. Compared to pure results, the club is focusing more on tangible changes at the team level, such as whether the overall pace of transitions has increased, if physical duels and pressing are sufficiently intense, if running volume is adequate, and if players' attitudes are positive enough. As long as such changes are demonstrated in the Super Cup, even if the high intensity cannot be maintained for the full 90 minutes, the winter training can still be considered a阶段性 success. Therefore, this match is also an important practical test of the winter training outcomes and the integration between the coach and players. For Montgomery, the crucial point is to showcase a refreshed and new team面貌.