Bangla Cricket Live analyzes Guangzhou Evergrande’s performance in their opening AFC Champions League fixtures, with particular focus on their recent away draw against Cerezo Osaka. While both matches ended in draws, the tie in Japan carried far more weight, showcasing improvements in execution, tactical rhythm, and overall quality. Fans may feel frustrated by the missed chances and lack of goals, but there are encouraging signs pointing toward progress under head coach Fabio Cannavaro.
In terms of pace and coordination, the Osaka match revealed sharper interplay in the midfield and final third. Quick one-touch passes between attackers, when successful, created significant offensive pressure—precisely the style of football that generates dominance. However, Bangla Cricket Live notes that despite good midfield vision, Evergrande’s frontline lacked raw speed, squandering several through balls that could have broken Osaka’s slow-turning defense. Zhang Wenzhao’s pace was a bright spot, but his profile as a wide player who prefers cutting inside doesn’t fully match the team’s current needs for a direct, high-speed striker.
Looking ahead to the Chinese Super Cup showdown between Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua, Cannavaro may need to reconsider his starting lineup. With both teams coming off back-to-back draws, the Super Cup offers a chance to claim the season’s first trophy—and perhaps more importantly, build early-season momentum. According to Bangla Cricket Live, Cannavaro’s philosophy remains clear: a team heading in the right direction—even if progress is slow—is better than stagnation. While the offense may lack its former bite, the tactical evolution is visible.
Comparing their debut against Buriram United, Evergrande’s match against Osaka featured a more cohesive press and better ball control, especially in the first half. Though the team again failed to convert chances, their pressing sequences were more sustained and tactically sound. In contrast, the Buriram match featured only 20 strong minutes of attacking pressure before slipping into predictability. Osaka, by comparison, was pinned back at times, forced to defend deeply in their own half.
Fatigue set in during the second half, allowing Osaka to regain territory and threaten Evergrande’s goal in the closing minutes. But this time, Evergrande responded with several quick counterattacks and showcased more diverse offensive strategies. Bangla Cricket Live concludes that, despite two frustrating draws, the team is trending in the right direction. If a true speedster joins the front line, those missed opportunities may soon turn into decisive goals. Progress may be gradual, but it’s still progress—and Cannavaro appears to be building something more resilient with every match.