Winning the "Relegation Derby" in Shanghai, Port Not Only Avenged Themselves

Written by Cheng Shan The 36°C heat made the entire Jade Bowl feel scorching, but this evening, the home team Port did not let their fans down again—thanks to goals from Leonardo and Li Xinxiang, Shanghai Port defeated their city rivals Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 cleanly. This not only avenged their first-round loss this season but also ended a seven-year winless streak at home in the Chinese Super League derby. Using the victory in the "relegation derby," they managed to gain a hard-fought breathing space.

Who would have thought that the Shanghai derby, once a highlight of the league title race, would now be tinged with a tragic relegation atmosphere? This season, both giants have fallen due to point deductions. Port was docked 5 points, while Shenhua was penalized 10 points. The former regulars at the top of the table are now mired in the lower half of the standings. Before the match, Port, with one game in hand, had only 16 points and ranked 13th, just one step away from the relegation zone; Shenhua was 11th with 19 points, also in a difficult position. For Port's head coach Muscat, this was more than just a derby—it was a battle for dignity and survival. He stated bluntly before the game: "We must give our all for the three points."

According to statistics, this match was the 10th derby encounter between the two renowned coaches, Muscat and Slutsky, across all competitions in the past three seasons. In the previous nine meetings, Port had only achieved 2 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses, clearly at a disadvantage. Port's last league home victory over Shenhua dates back to 2019; since then, the two teams have drawn 1-1 five times, with Port once winning by a single goal, but that match was played at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Center. In the first round of this season, Shenhua won by a narrow margin with a goal from Ratang. This series of unfavorable data placed significant psychological pressure on Port.

This season, Port has been plagued by injuries and an incomplete squad. In the previous FA Cup match, Port fought a grueling 120-minute battle against Shenzhen Xinpengcheng, advancing only after extra time and penalties, which drained far more energy than Shenhua's 90-minute victory. Although Muscat insisted that the team's fitness was not an issue, the fatigue from consecutive games was evident.

To prepare for the second half of the season with dual-front commitments, especially the AFC Champions League, Port made a last-minute signing just before the summer transfer window closed, utilizing the AFC-specific foreign player policy introduced by the Chinese Football Association. They brought in Spanish midfielder Jaume Grau and Portuguese center-back Miguel Campos. These two new signings do not count against the league salary cap and specifically strengthen midfield mobility and defensive solidity, injecting a much-needed boost into the struggling team. The pair will begin training with the team in the near future.

The desperate "relegation derby" unleashed their potential. Playing at home, Port showed unusual decisiveness. In the 28th minute, the attacking unit created a brilliant combination. Anpem chipped the ball into the box, and Leonardo, lurking outside, controlled it, turned, and fired a clever low shot that went through Zhu Chenjie's legs and into the net—1-0, setting the Pudong Football Stadium ablaze. Just eight minutes later, Port struck again. Merendo delivered a precise chip from the left, and Li Xinxiang, arriving at the far post, calmly cushioned the ball into the net from near the six-yard line to make it 2-0. Port had built a comfortable lead by halftime.

After taking the lead, how to protect the victory became the core topic at halftime. In the dressing room, Muscat did not celebrate blindly. Instead, learning from previous seasons when leads were squandered, he played match footage, using the most direct visuals to remind the players: when ahead, they must remain calm, strictly adhere to tactical discipline, and be wary of the opponent's counterattack.

In the second half, Shenhua went all out. In the 78th minute, forward Mineiro, who had just recovered from a long injury, came off the bench. Shenhua pushed forward en masse, trying to use physicality to break through Port's defense. At the critical moment, Muscat's adjustment was immediate and effective. He quickly switched to a three-center-back formation, with Jean Claude, Wei Zhen, and Wumitijiang forming an iron triangle to defend the box. Captain Yan Junling was a rock throughout the match, making high saves and low blocks, repeatedly denying Shenhua's dangerous shots. In the end, Port's players united as one and held the 2-0 scoreline until the final whistle, keeping a clean sheet against Shenhua in the CSL for the first time in nearly three years.

After the match, Muscat could barely contain his excitement: "My players were warriors tonight! They controlled every detail of the game." He also expressed strong support for Li Xinxiang, who had missed chances in the FA Cup but scored the crucial goal in this match. "The season is long, and he has been under pressure, but I have full confidence in him. He repaid that trust with a goal." Regarding the halftime video adjustment, Muscat admitted it was to prevent the players from relaxing and to ensure the tactical execution in the second half.

On the standings, Port moved up to 19 points, surpassing Shenhua on goal difference in the same-point situation, significantly easing their relegation pressure. Point deductions, relegation, derby, revenge—all these elements intertwined, making these three points incredibly precious. But in this unusual season, whether Port can use this victory to start a comeback remains to be seen.