On July 26, the 20th round of the Chinese Super League was in full swing, and Shanghai Port swept Nantong Zhiyun with an astonishing 8-1 score at home, not only sealing the most brilliant victory so far this season, but also breaking the longest winning streak in the history of the Chinese Super League - 14 games unbeaten in one fell swoop. Today's Shanghai Port, like a giant on the football field, is almost unstoppable, and its dominance is not only unprecedented in the history of the team, but also extremely rare in the entire history of the Chinese Super League.
So, how did Shanghai Port create this style of football that is both passionate and spectacular, and become a shining pearl in the Chinese Super League this season? There must be many factors behind this, and in this battle with Nantong Zhiyun, a subtle but meaningful scene may reveal the key to SIPG's success.
In the 85th minute of the game, when Nantong Zhiyun's counterattack attempt failed, and the ball rolled out of the sideline, SIPG head coach Muscat quickly made a different decision. He personally tossed the ball back to his player and decisively signaled for a quick throw-in, while gesturing to keep the player on the high stake. This scene is particularly unique in the Chinese Super League, because usually, when the game enters such a disparity situation, the leading side will often choose to be conservative, and let the last minutes of the game become a time to go through the motions. However, Shanghai Port did the opposite, believing that no matter how much they lead, they should give it their all until the final whistle. It was this persistence and perseverance that allowed SIPG to add two more goals at the end of the game and further consolidate the victory.
What's even more admirable is that Shanghai Port never showed any signs of delaying time in the game. Unlike those teams that adopt the "lying grass" tactic as soon as they take the lead, SIPG's players only have an infinite desire to win and a relentless pursuit of scoring goals. In their view, every touch of the ball is a precious opportunity to move towards victory, and every attack is a challenge and transcendence of their own limits. This insatiable and never-ending spirit is the driving force for Shanghai Port to continue to lead the Chinese Super League and create countless miracles this season.
Some people commented that the pace of Shanghai Port's game was far ahead of other teams in the Chinese Super League, but this "lead" was not only reflected in the technology, but more importantly, their attitude towards the game and their desire to win. This kind of mental advantage is the fundamental reason why SIPG can stand alone in the Chinese Super League and become the biggest highlight of this season. It may be difficult for other teams to fully replicate SIPG's technical style, but the persistent pursuit of victory and the never-say-die spirit are valuable assets that every team that aspires to success should learn from.