Chinese Super League Opening Match Preview: Chengdu Rongcheng vs. Shenzhen Xinpengcheng: Returning to "Home Soil," Reuniting with Familiar Faces

Reporter Lu Mi reports On the evening of March 6th, the opening match of the 2026 Chinese Super League season will commence between Chengdu Rongcheng and Shenzhen Xinpengcheng. This highly anticipated season opener is not only the inaugural chapter of the new season but also a special clash laden with hometown ties and nostalgic sentiments. The predecessor of Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, Sichuan Jiuniu, was originally a team rooted in Chengdu. Although it has now relocated to Shenzhen, it still maintains significant connections to this land. During the winter transfer window this season, the exchange of Zhou Dingyang and Bai Helamu between the clubs has added a sense of destiny to this encounter. Their stories not only link the transfer activities and pre-season preparations of both teams but also become the most captivating subplot of this opening match.

Shenzhen Xinpengcheng and Chengdu share an inseparable football connection. In January 2017, promoted by the Sichuan Football Association, Sichuan Jiuniu was established based on the 2017 Sichuan National Games U20 team. In 2019, the City Football Group and two other parties jointly acquired Sichuan Jiuniu, ushering in new development opportunities for the club. By 2024, Sichuan Jiuniu officially moved to Shenzhen and was renamed Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, concluding its competitive years in Chengdu.

Shenzhen Xinpengcheng has returned to Chengdu as the "away team" for two seasons now. However, over the past two seasons, the situations of the two teams have been markedly different. Shenzhen Xinpengcheng has been in the relegation zone for two consecutive years, lagging behind Chengdu Rongcheng in terms of squad strength and performance. Player exchanges between the two sides began last year. At the start of last year, defender Yang Yiming moved from Rongcheng to Xinpengcheng, and later in the season, Liao Lisheng joined on loan. In their two previous encounters in Chengdu, Shenzhen Xinpengcheng lost both times, including a 0-5 defeat to Chengdu Rongcheng last season.

By the time Shenzhen Xinpengcheng sets foot on Chengdu's familiar turf for the third time, it has undergone a transformation. Both teams experienced significant personnel changes during the recent winter transfer window. The mutual transfer of Zhou Dingyang and Bai Helamu not only reshaped the squad structures of both clubs but also intensified the theme of "familiar faces." Through extensive personnel changes and tactical restructuring, Xinpengcheng has improved its overall strength compared to the previous two seasons. The team has achieved a transformation in its technical and tactical approach for the new season, leading to higher objectives.

The exchange of Zhou Dingyang and Bai Helamu can be considered the highlight of the entire winter transfer window, and it also connects the main narratives of both teams' pre-season preparations.

For Chengdu Rongcheng, Zhou Dingyang's departure represents the most significant change to their original squad. The midfield linchpin joined Shenzhen Xinpengcheng as a free agent, testing Rongcheng's defensive and organizational capabilities in midfield. To address this weakness, Rongcheng initiated a major squad overhaul during the winter window, investing heavily to reconstruct the team with a focus on rejuvenation and strengthening. The most notable move was signing promising forward Bai Helamu from Shenzhen Xinpengcheng for approximately 800,000 euros, making him the club's most expensive winter signing. Bai Helamu's arrival not only fills the long-standing gap for a domestic striker but also, with his knowledge of his former club, provides Rongcheng with a special advantage in preparing for the opener.

In addition, Chengdu Rongcheng signed several experienced players as free agents, including Russian tall defender Sorokin, Brazilian midfielder Yusa (who played for Shanghai Port last season), winger Silva, and former Beijing Guoan forward Wang Ziming. The club also promoted youth academy players Shuai Weihao and Peng Haochen to inject fresh blood. With the appointment of Australian coach John Aloisi, Rongcheng is transitioning from a three-center-back system to a more attacking four-back formation. This new tactical approach began taking shape during the two AFC Champions League Elite matches in February. As several title-contending teams face point deductions this season, Rongcheng has undoubtedly become a top favorite for the 2026 championship.

On the other side, Shenzhen Xinpengcheng's signing of Zhou Dingyang aims precisely to bolster midfield defense and organization, aligning with head coach Chen Tao's recruitment principle of "effective, reliable, and ready-to-contribute players." This winter window, Xinpengcheng's transfer strategy directly addressed the weaknesses of the past two relegation-threatened seasons. The club signed Croatian former international defender Filip Benković for about 800,000 euros to enhance aerial defense and ball-playing ability, retained Brazilian forward Wesley, and brought in former Tianjin Jinmen Tiger player Ademi and former Zhejiang FC winger Ouwusu to form a complementary attacking trident. Regarding domestic signings, besides Zhou Dingyang, the club also acquired capable players like Dai Weijun and Yao Junsheng. On paper, the squad's strength far exceeds that of a relegation-battling team. The total market value of its foreign players reaches 6.95 million euros, ranking seventh in the CSL.

Of course, the extensive squad overhaul also presents Shenzhen Xinpengcheng with the challenge of team integration. Head coach Chen Tao is accelerating the磨合 (integration) between new and existing players through methods like video analysis and set-piece tactical adjustments.

The whistle for the opening match is about to blow. The red wave of Chengdu Rongcheng and the blue figures of Shenzhen Xinpengcheng are set to collide, sparking a unique spectacle at Chengdu's home ground.