Reporter Chen Yong reports On the second match day of the first round of the 2025 Chinese Super League, all four matches in the afternoon ended in a draw. However, compared to the other three strangulation battles that lacked smooth technical and tactical coordination, the Qingdao derby was quite exciting. Although both teams are coached by local coaches, they have upgraded their lineups to a certain extent this season, and the flow of the game is good, and the process of the game is thrilling to watch.

Of course, fans on both sides may not be happy with the 2-2 scoreline, but it is a true reflection of the balance of power between the two sides.

The 2025 season is the third season after Qingdao Manatee returns to the Chinese Super League, and it is the second Chinese Super League season on the west coast of Qingdao. This season, the two Qingdao teams have learned the lessons of last season's relegation battle, and are trying their best to improve their strength, this Qingdao derby, can also be called the upgraded Qingdao derby.

Qingdao West Coast has continued the coaching staff at the end of last season, and the head coach is still Shao Jiayi, but it has strengthened several positions in the coaching staff. While retaining midfielder Mateus and right winger Nelson Luz, they also introduced striker Aziz, winger Davidson and central defender Riccellly, of which Aziz is worth up to 2.5 million euros, Richelli is worth up to 2.5 million euros, Davidson is also worth 750,000 euros, and the total value of the five foreign players is as high as 7.1 million euros, which is a huge improvement in itself.

According to German transfer statistics, Qingdao West Coast's value increased by 83.7% this season, second only to Yunnan Yukun's 113.2% and Dalian InBev's 93.7%. But the crux of the matter is that Yunnan Yukun and Dalian InBev are both promoted to the Chinese Super League, and the value increase of the Chinese Super League squad is not the same thing compared to the value increase of the Chinese Super League squad on the west coast of Qingdao, after all, there are only 3 foreign aides in the Chinese League. This 83.7% increase also fully demonstrates the strength and determination of Qingdao West Coast.

Qingdao Manatee changed the coaching staff, Li Xiaopeng served as the head coach, and it was Hao Junmin who coached Qingdao Manatee with Li Xiaopeng. Qingdao Manatee's value has also increased by 15.2% this season, ranking fourth among the 14 teams in the Chinese Super League except for the promoted horses, behind Qingdao West Coast, Beijing Guoan and Henan.

Qingdao Manatee retained three foreign players, Saric, Silva and Nikola, and the two new foreign players were center forward Olmenho and midfielder Augusto. Augusto, who played for Valencia in La Liga and Benfica in the Portuguese Super League, Malaga and River Ave, joined Cuiabá in the Brazilian league at the beginning of 2023. For Qingdao Manatee, although the strength of foreign aid reinforcement is not as good as that of Qingdao West Coast, Qingdao Manatee builds tactics around the core foreign aid Sarich, and it is easier to build and run in the technical and tactical system.

Qingdao West Coast and Qingdao Manatee have both introduced some local players, such as Jia Feifei, the starting right wingback who helped Manatee score, was introduced from Shandong Taishan, Qingdao West Coast's starting back Wang Peng is also a new signing, and Qingdao Manatee's starting central defender Jin Yangyang is transferred from Qingdao West Coast.

The Qingdao derby was arranged in the first round of the Chinese Super League, which can be described as the focus of the opening game that no one can afford to lose. But what is gratifying is that the overall technical and tactical performance of both teams is good.

Qingdao Manatee started with a three-center-back formation, goalkeeper Mu Pengfei, three center-backs Liu Junshuai, Jin Yangyang and Nikola, two wingbacks on the left side of Song Long, right side of Jia Feifei, Saric and Augusto partnered in the middle of the midfield, left winger is Silva, right winger is Huang Haojun, center forward is Olmenho. Qingdao West Coast responded with a four-back formation, goalkeeper Li Hao, defenders Zhao Hongluo, Richelli, Sun Jie and Chen Yuhao, midfielders Wang Peng and Mateus, Davidson on the left, Nelson on the right, Zhang Xiuwei in the middle, and Aziz as the center.

The game process was very simple: in the 11th minute of the opening game, Qingdao Manatee left winger Silva cut inside on the left side and scored a world wave goal; In the 15th minute, Qingdao West Coast took a tactical corner kick, and Mateus scored in the chaotic battle in the penalty area, and the goal was confirmed to be valid after nearly 4 minutes of VAR check; In the 42nd minute, Qingdao Manatee patiently organized the attack in the front, Song Long sent a cross, Saric shot from a distance caused Li Hao to get out of his hands, Jia Feifei followed up and scored a goal, and Qingdao Manatee led again; In the 69th minute, Qingdao West Coast took advantage of the opportunity of a set-piece in front of the field to equalize with a header from Mateus, and the score was finally maintained until the end.

In this game, Qingdao Manatee's Saric gave full play to his core role and launched threatening attacks many times. On the stage of the Chinese Super League, Saric can be described as a treasure-level foreign aid for the middle and lower teams. At the same time, Qingdao Manatee's two wingbacks assisted very actively, such as the first goal is the direct connection of left central defender Liu Junshuai, left wingback Song Long and left winger Silva, and the second goal is an offensive opportunity created by Song Long and Silva's continuous cooperation in the front court. In addition, Qingdao Manatee's ground passing is more purposeful and concise.

Compared to Qingdao Manatee, Qingdao West Coast is more controlled, they have more possession in the game, and they are more patient in attack. Of course, this has something to do with the fact that they fell behind twice. Mateus has been outstanding in this game and I believe his ability will be on full display as the season progresses.

Perhaps, both sides have some regrets about the draw, but the result is also acceptable, especially in this kind of focus game, and it is more important to avoid losing. Qingdao Manatee coach Li Xiaopeng said after the game: "Today the two sides gave a wonderful game, everyone did their best, the final score of 2 to 2 is acceptable, the first game is very difficult for each player, I hope the next game will get better and better." ”