Dalian Yingbo suffered quick goals in back-to-back matches against Beijing Guoan and Qingdao Hainiu, leading to defensive collapses. However, the two games had different narratives. Against Hainiu, Dalian created a number of clear chances, with Stanciu hitting the woodwork twice. Although their current form does not match their third-place standing, Dalian has shown they can compete against mid and lower-table teams. Qingdao Hainiu’s straightforward yet effective tactics serve as a reminder for Li Guoxu’s side to adopt a strong team mentality while staying realistic.
Dalian Yingbo have lost five matches this season, starting with two consecutive defeats. After losing to Yunnan Yukun, they quickly regrouped and halted their slide at home. On May 15 at 20:00, in the 12th round of the Chinese Super League, Dalian Yingbo host Qingdao West Coast at Suoyu Bay Stadium. Returning home after back-to-back losses gives Li Guoxu a chance to redeem himself and avoid a third straight defeat. Even a draw would be acceptable. West Coast have won only one of their 11 matches but have drawn seven in a row, a run that is far from coincidental.
West Coast’s attacking output has declined this year. Davidson is past his prime, and Zheng Zhi’s tactical approach suits the team, but they lack a player like Ye Boya, who has been key for Hainiu. Zheng Zhi is suspended for six matches, so Huang Bowen will take over as interim head coach. As a relegation-threatened side, West Coast’s biggest strength is their defensive discipline—they rarely gift opponents easy chances. Li Ang is expected to return from injury. He played only 45 minutes against Guoan due to a knock, and with Lü Peng unable to slot into central defense, Li Ang’s comeback would be a timely boost for Dalian’s leaky backline.
Optimistically, Mao Weijie and Lü Zhuoyi are suspended after accumulating four yellow cards, meaning they will miss the match against West Coast. This is preferable to being unavailable for the away game against Shenzhen or the home clash with Chengdu Rongcheng. Xiao Wen and Sun Kangbo will likely step in, and while their effort is unquestionable, they lack the quality of the regular starters. There are no secrets in the CSL, and West Coast will surely target Dalian’s flanks with Davidson and Nelson. The wingers must prioritize defense over attack to avoid leaving gaps in the channel.
Given Dalian’s current personnel, the attacking approach needs to be straightforward: feed the ball to Stanciu and let him orchestrate the offense. Appiah can lead the line, with Malele providing the thrust. Yang Mingrui has plenty of energy but lacks experience. Playing on the right, he struggles with cutting inside and crossing, leaving Dalian short of wing options. This could be an opportunity to develop younger players. Liao Jintao has been off form in recent rounds, making too many errant forward passes. His partnership with Alimi in central midfield lacks creativity, so their primary focus should remain on solid defending.
Injuries and luck are part of the game. During their five-match winning streak, Dalian Yingbo had a clear tactical identity—they stayed compact and hit opponents on the counter, often facing teams missing key foreign players. In their recent four games, they have lost three, and when opponents field their full foreign contingent, Dalian’s defense has been exposed. The remaining four matches in May all present challenges, but with Stanciu and Malele back fit, Li Guoxu has cards to play in attack. At home against West Coast, a win would be ideal, but a point would be a reasonable outcome.
