The 2025 Chinese Super League (CSL) season is set to kick off with a bang as Shanghai Shenhua hosts a transformed Changchun Yatai in an electrifying opener. Fresh from their impressive 4-2 victory over Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite, Shenhua is brimming with confidence and ambition.
Boasting the league’s youngest squad, Shenhua’s title hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of 18-year-old prodigy Liu Chengyu. The teenage striker leads a refreshed attacking lineup following the departure of Cephas Malele. He is joined by Brazilian forward Saulo and seasoned midfielder João Teixeira, promising a dynamic and exciting style of play.
Head coach Leonid Slutskiy, whose team narrowly missed the league title by just one point last season, is emphasizing the importance of a strong start. “We have to try to show our best level,” the 54-year-old Russian stated ahead of the match.
On the other side, Changchun Yatai arrives with several notable additions. Towering Norwegian striker Ohi Omoijuanfo and French playmaker Wylan Cyprien headline their international signings. The team has also bolstered its roster with domestic talents Li Shenyuan, Piao Taoyu, Xu Yu, and Sun Qinhan.
Changchun’s head coach Xie Hui, a former Shenhua icon, acknowledges the emotional significance of the match. “I think this is a match that is really worth paying attention to, and we should perform better, as Shenhua is my former club,” he said. “This is also a bit of motivation, but in terms of the game, I want to get the best result.”
The stakes are high for both teams, especially with Changchun facing reigning champions Shanghai Port next week. The opening match sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting season in the CSL.
