Australian coach John Aloisi has taken Chengdu Rongcheng to the top of the Chinese Super League (CSL) and is on course to emulate the likes of Ange Postecoglou. After eight games, the team has dropped just two points, scored 23 goals, and attracted massive crowds to the Phoenix Hill Sports Park Football Stadium. Fans are dreaming of a first title just eight years after the club's inception.
Aloisi's Impact
John Aloisi has been in Chengdu for only a few months but is already being hailed as the next Ange Postecoglou. His attacking brand of football has captivated supporters. Fan Li Chen said, "We know this is very early, but we have never played like this. We believe we are going to win every game. What Postecoglou did in Japan and Kevin Muscat did in Shanghai, Aloisi can do here."
Brotherly Derby
In a recent "brotherly derby," John Aloisi's team defeated Zhejiang, coached by his older brother Ross Aloisi, 4-0 in front of 41,428 fans. The win highlighted Chengdu's balance between control and explosiveness. All four goals came from forwards: Wellington Silva, Felipe, Wei Shihao, and Behram Abduweli.
Tactical Changes
Aloisi has shifted from a five-man defense to more fluid formations like 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3. He revitalized center-back Han Pengfei, who struggled last season but now looks a different player with more responsibility. Rômulo excels as the No. 10, and the team's work-rate has increased. Sceptical fans now gather at the training ground hoping for selfies with the coach.
Advantageous Circumstances
Aloisi has benefited from points deductions affecting nine of 16 CSL teams. Muscat's Shanghai Port started with a five-point deficit, and Shanghai Shenhua lost 10 points. Zhejiang's deduction makes Ross Aloisi's position precarious. Chengdu, third last season, now leads by four points.
Upcoming Challenges
The season is just over a quarter done. Next up is a national holiday game against Shanghai Shenhua. If Slutsky's side had not lost points, they would be just two behind. A win for Shenhua in front of over 60,000 fans could change the dynamic. Aloisi, like Muscat and Postecoglou, is in an East Asian title race that could become historic.
