New formation, new foreign players! Shenhua embarks on a fresh start, facing a tough test in their AFC Champions League opener

Special contributor Gan Hui On the evening of February 10, Shenhua started fresh, launching the brand-new 2026 season. Their opening opponent is Japan’s Machida Zelvia, with the match set at Shenhua’s home stadium in Shanghai.

During the winter transfer window, Shenhua adjusted their roster. Among foreign players, Guy and Latang were signed, André Luis and Amadou departed, and Asuue was loaned out. Changes among domestic players were minimal; the club brought in center-back Yang Shuai, welcomed back Ma Zhen, while players like Bao Yaxiong, Eddie, and Dai Weijun left.

All three new signings participated in the team’s Dubai winter training and played in friendly matches. However, Yang Shuai will be unable to play in the upcoming AFC Champions League East Asia group matches against Japan’s Machida Zelvia and next week’s game versus Thailand’s Buriram United.

According to AFC rules, any player who has appeared for another team in the group stage cannot represent a new club in the remaining group matches, even if registered by the new team. Last year, Yang Shuai played for Chengdu Rongcheng in the AFC Champions League East Asia group stage, so he is barred from playing the remaining games for Shenhua.

As for Latang and Guy, both are eligible to play. Before this round of the AFC Champions League East Asia group stage, the registration window reopened, allowing Shenhua to register the newly signed Guy and Latang. Naturally, their performances have become one of the key focuses of this match.

At the end of last month, the team finished their Dubai winter training and had a four-day break. Guy, who initially arrived from the UK to Shenhua’s Dubai base with only a carry-on suitcase, traveled with the team to Shanghai. He made full use of every moment to prepare for his new chapter at Shenhua. Latang did the same, skipping a vacation to join the team in Shanghai and even used the break to train extra sessions at the Jiushe Kangqiao Sports Base.

Both new signings are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season. For Latang, Shenhua’s first opponent Machida Zelvia is a relatively familiar team. Last season, while playing for Osaka Sakura, Latang faced Machida twice in the J League, losing both matches, including a heavy 0-3 defeat away. As the J League’s second top scorer last season, Latang started both games but failed to score. Regarding Guy, after being sidelined on the bench for a long time by Blackburn’s coach Ismael, he is keen to prove his abilities once again on the field.

Towards the end of last season, Slutsky began considering abandoning the “442” formation he had used for the past two seasons, focusing fully on developing a “433” setup to enhance the team’s attacking power.

After polishing during Dubai winter training, the new “433” lineup is nearly complete. Minero, along with the two new foreign players Guy and Latang, will form Shenhua’s fresh attacking trident. The tall and strong Guy serves as the central striker and focal point up front, with Latang and Minero roaming on either side. Typically, Latang operates on the left and Minero on the right, but they can switch positions depending on the match situation.

The formation change means adding one more forward position and reducing one midfield spot, intensifying competition in midfield. At defensive midfield, Li Ke, who renewed his contract for one year and performed well last season, is Slutsky’s preferred choice. The other two midfield positions are fiercely contested. Foreign player Teixeira, captain Wu Xi, national player Xu Haoyang, and former national team members Gao Tianyi and Wang Haijian all bring unique qualities. Based on Dubai friendlies, Teixeira and Wu Xi currently rank slightly higher in Slutsky’s selection.

Regarding the defense, with Yang Shuai unable to play due to AFC rules and Jiang Shenglong still recovering from injury, center-back options are limited. During Dubai winter friendlies, Slutsky tried moving left-back Chen Jin to left center-back. Judging from the current situation, for the match against Machida, the center-back pairing will likely be Zhu Chenjie and Jin Shunkai. The full-back spots on the left and right may be Chen Jin and Manafa. The goalkeeper position is almost certainly filled by the loan-returned Ma Zhen.

Because Zhu Chenjie, Xu Haoyang, and Ma Zhen were called up by the national team, they missed the entire Dubai winter training, which will somewhat affect the cohesion of this new lineup.

Last year, the AFC Champions League East Asia group stage featured six rounds of intense competition. Shenhua finished with 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses, accumulating 4 points and ranking 11th. Shenhua trails eighth-placed Ulsan Hyundai from Korea by 4 points. With only two group matches remaining, the difficulty of advancing is evident.

Shenhua’s opponent this round, Machida, has 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, totaling 11 points and sitting second in the East Asia group. After last season, Machida made some personnel adjustments, but judging from their first match of the 2026 season, they remain a strong side, having defeated Yokohama F. Marinos away in the J League opener. Despite only 36% possession throughout the game, Machida Zelvia managed 3 goals from 4 shots on target, showing high attacking efficiency.

Shenhua’s last opponent in the AFC Champions League East Asia group stage will be Thailand’s Buriram United. On February 17, the Chinese New Year’s first day, the team will face Buriram United away.

From both points and opponent perspectives, Shenhua faces a significant challenge to advance to the next stage of the AFC Champions League. Nevertheless, the team will give their all to perform well in the upcoming two matches.