Chongqing’s stubborn run meets Yunnan’s momentum in a meeting that could shape both sides’ early-season direction

Chongqing Tonglianglong FC return to Tongliang Lengthy Stadium on Wednesday trying to flip a run of attracts and slim defeats into one thing extra decisive after they face Yunnan Yukun in Spherical 13 of the Tremendous League.

It’s a fixture that brings collectively two groups arriving with very totally different current rhythms: Chongqing have been arduous to beat however brief on wins, whereas Yunnan have constructed momentum by a extra constructive, front-foot spell.

Have a look at our Knowledge and Stats for Chongqing Tonglianglong FC vs Yunnan Yukun

Why it issues

For Chongqing, that is about changing resilience into factors that change the tone of their marketing campaign. They’ve stayed aggressive in opposition to stronger opposition, however the lack of a breakthrough outcome has left their current kind feeling extra irritating than encouraging.

Yunnan arrive with an opportunity to strengthen the sense that their season is shifting in the suitable course. A outcome away from house would underline the worth of their current attacking output and hold their momentum intact in opposition to a aspect that has made life awkward for opponents, even when not profitable.

Type image

Chongqing’s current league document tells a well-recognized story of competitiveness with out sufficient reward. They’ve drawn three of their final 5, together with a 2-2 away at Shanghai Shenhua and a 1-1 house draw with Qingdao West Coast, however they’ve additionally slipped to slim defeats in opposition to Dalian Yingbo and Shandong Taishan.

That sample suggests a workforce that may keep in video games, particularly after they settle right into a compact form, however one which has struggled to show management or resistance right into a decisive edge in both field.

Yunnan’s kind is extra encouraging and extra diverse in its path to outcomes. They’ve overwhelmed Shanghai Shenhua and Liaoning Tieren FC, drawn a vigorous 3-3 with Beijing Guoan, and solely narrowly misplaced to Zhejiang, which factors to a aspect carrying extra attacking menace and extra perception in open video games.

Even within the defeat, Yunnan have been aggressive, and their current run suggests they’re comfy taking part in at the next tempo than Chongqing have usually been capable of maintain. That distinction in momentum is without doubt one of the clearest themes heading into the match.

The broader image is that Chongqing have been troublesome to shake off, however Yunnan have been higher at turning moments into wins. That distinction in finish product could matter greater than possession or territory on the day.

Key storyline

The primary tactical query is whether or not Chongqing can hold Yunnan’s attacking line quiet lengthy sufficient to make the sport uncomfortable. Chongqing have lately used each a 5-4-1 and a 3-4-2-1, which factors to a aspect prepared to guard central areas and keep compact when the opposition has the ball.

Yunnan, in contrast, have alternated between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3, suggesting a extra versatile however nonetheless progressive strategy. With Cléber main the road and assist arriving from extensive and central midfield areas, they give the impression of being higher geared up to stretch a defensive block than Chongqing have been to interrupt one down.

Staff information

There are not any reported accidents for both aspect, which implies each managers seem to have a full squad out there for choice. That removes one of many common variables and locations the main target squarely on form, kind and execution.

Chongqing’s most up-to-date lineups counsel a choice for defensive stability, with Yao Haoyang in objective and a again line constructed round Lucão and Pengxiang Jin. In assault, Landry Dimata has been the central reference level, with Alexandru Cîmpanu and Zhixiong Zhang providing assist from deeper or wider positions.

Yunnan are prone to hold religion with the construction that has served them nicely in current weeks. Zhifeng Wang ought to proceed in objective behind a again 4 of Andrei Burcă, Ke Shi, Zichang Huang and Zihao Yang, whereas Alexandru Ionita, Caio Vinicius and John Hou Sæter present the midfield base behind Oscar Taty Maritu, Xu Xin and Cléber.

Tactical battle

The important thing space could also be Chongqing’s potential to disclaim Yunnan house between the strains. If Yunnan can get their midfield runners going through objective early, Chongqing’s deeper form could also be pressured to retreat and defend for lengthy spells.

On the different finish, Chongqing will want cleaner transitions and higher assist round Landry Dimata if they’re to make house benefit depend. With out that, the sport dangers turning into one the place Yunnan management the rhythm and steadily ask the tougher questions.

Latest conferences

There isn’t a head-to-head document out there for this fixture, so the match is being formed extra by present kind and tactical id than by any established sample between the 2 golf equipment.

Reporter’s view

This seems like a contest between a aspect that has been arduous to beat and a aspect that has been higher at profitable. Chongqing’s current outcomes present resilience, however Yunnan’s run suggests better attacking readability and a stronger behavior of turning strain into factors.

If Chongqing can hold the sport tight early, they’ve sufficient construction to make it awkward. However Yunnan’s current confidence, mixed with their extra diverse attacking choices, offers them the look of the aspect extra prone to dictate the decisive moments.

Prediction

Yunnan Yukun’s stronger current kind and better attacking edge make them slight favourites to depart with a slim victory, although Chongqing’s stubbornness ought to hold the competition shut.