Analysis: Shanghai SIPG attacking stars covering for defensive frailty

With great attacking strength at his disposal, the Portuguese has sought to set up in a manner which frees his forwards Hulk, Elkeson and Wu Lei to attack while also retaining numbers behind the ball in SIPG’s 4-3-3 defensive structure.

However, there have been frailties at the back evident throughout the tournament with 17 goals conceded in their 10 appearances to date.

Despite those concerns, following victory over compatriots Guangzhou Evergrande and a Chinese Super League success against city rivals Shanghai Shenhua, they will be full of confidence ahead of Wednesday’s first leg.

Hulk key to SIPG attacking threat but must track back

With eight goals in eight 2017 AFC Champions League appearances, Brazilian Hulk is currently topping the goalscoring charts for this year’s competition.

The Brazilian was on the scoresheet the first time the two sides met in March this year, but missed the corresponding away fixture when SIPG drew a blank in Japan.

For all of Wu Lei, Oscar and Elkeson’s brilliance, it is Hulk who has stepped up when it matters in the competition this season. Against Evergrande, when 4-0 down on the night in Tianhe Stadium, the former Zenit and Porto man struck a powerful free-kick to give his team renewed hope in extra-time.

His previous outing against Urawa brought one goal, five shots, three key passes and one assist in what was a fine individual showing.

However, both Hulk and Wu Lei on either side of central striker Elkeson will need to ensure they offer their full-backs increased defensive cover.

With Urawa’s 3-4-3 setup strong on numbers in midfield, any failure by either wide player to track back could lead to overload scenarios on the flanks— as exploited by Evergrande.

Absent Yan Junling adds to defensive concerns

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However, there have been frailties at the back evident throughout the tournament with 17 goals conceded in their 10 appearances to date.

Hulk key to SIPG attacking threat but must track back

\n\n

With eight goals in eight 2017 AFC Champions League appearances, Brazilian Hulk is currently topping the goalscoring charts for this year\u2019s competition.

The Brazilian was on the scoresheet the first time the two sides met in March this year, but missed the corresponding away fixture when SIPG drew a blank in Japan.

For all of Wu Lei, Oscar and Elkeson\u2019s brilliance, it is Hulk who has stepped up when it matters in the competition this season. Against Evergrande, when 4-0 down on the night in Tianhe Stadium, the former Zenit and Porto man struck a powerful free-kick to give his team renewed hope in extra-time.

His previous outing against Urawa brought one goal, five shots, three key passes and one assist in what was a fine individual showing.

However, both Hulk and Wu Lei on either side of central striker Elkeson will need to ensure they offer their full-backs increased defensive cover.\u00a0

With Urawa\u2019s 3-4-3 setup strong on numbers in midfield, any failure by either wide player to track back could lead to overload scenarios on the flanks\u2014 as exploited by Evergrande.

Absent Yan Junling adds to defensive concerns

", "headline": "Analysis: Shanghai SIPG attacking stars covering for defensive frailty", "description": "Shanghai:\u00a0Andre Villas-Boas\u2019 Shanghai SIPG side have advanced to the 2017 AFC Champions League semi-finals with a consistent tactical approach, regardless of opponent.\r\n", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "url": "https://www.the-afc.com/", "name": "the AFC" }, "image": "https://assets.the-afc.com/migration/i/i/iimylkwlyfnhwj5ow6ia.jpg", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "datePublished": "2017-09-24", "url": "www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/analysis_shanghai_sipg_attacking_stars_covering_for_defensive_frailty.html" }