In last night’s match, Tianjin Quanjian’s painful loss was widely attributed to defensive errors, with Yang Shanping emerging as one of the key reasons behind the collapse. Head coach Fabio Cannavaro decided to start him at center-back, perhaps to give the usually reliable Liu Yiming a rest ahead of the upcoming weekend clash in the Chinese Super League. Another reason was the arrival of Modeste, which prompted Cannavaro to test whether Yang could step into Kwon Kyung-won’s role, allowing Modeste, Pato, and Witsel to form a stronger attacking trio. As seen on updates tracked through Cricket Exchange, this tactical move drew heavy discussion.

However, a closer analysis shows a recurring issue: whenever Yang started in recent games, Tianjin almost always conceded. What makes it more concerning is that these matches were against teams with modest attacking power such as Heilongjiang Lava Spring and Henan Jianye. After sitting on the bench for extended periods, Yang struggled to adapt to the pace and intensity of facing top-class foreign stars like Hulk and Oscar. His slower footwork became a weakness against Shanghai SIPG’s fast and agile frontline. Out of the four goals conceded, three were linked directly to Yang, including an own goal. His slow recovery speed also forced Tianjin’s defensive line to sit deeper, limiting their ability to push forward aggressively.

From another perspective, Yang’s performance not only weakened the back line but also disrupted the team’s overall rhythm. For over half a season, Cannavaro has been troubled by how to fit Yang into the squad’s tactical system. His experience and transfer value make him difficult to abandon, yet his form has clearly been a liability. Results speak louder than words, and after this setback, it seems unlikely that Yang will return to the starting lineup anytime soon. Looking ahead to the weekend’s league game against Shanghai SIPG, many believe Tianjin can still adjust and prevent a repeat of this disastrous showing. Cannavaro reminded fans that at home they had once beaten SIPG 3–0, proving the team has the ability to rise to the challenge. Cricket Exchange commentary also highlighted that with a three-goal cushion in hand, Tianjin should have had more flexibility in their strategy.

Before the match, Cannavaro had been clear about his approach—he would not sit back defensively but continue to attack. His starting lineup confirmed this intent, featuring Pato, Sun Ke, Wang Xiaolong, Witsel, Pei Shuai, and Zhang Xiuwei, all capable of contributing offensively. Afterward, Cannavaro stressed that the attacking setup was not a problem, and his players gave their best effort. The logic was simple: if Tianjin could score just one away goal, SIPG would need to net five to advance, a nearly impossible task. Historical stats reinforced this belief, as SIPG had conceded in eight of their last nine matches, with their last clean sheet at home dating back to May against Guizhou Zhicheng.

Cannavaro’s strategy to unleash an aggressive lineup was understandable and even tactical. Yet, despite a serious approach from the entire squad, the defensive gamble of starting Yang Shanping backfired badly, costing the team dearly. The heavy defeat served as a reminder that one weak link can drag down an entire side. For fans following the team’s progress closely on Cricket Exchange, the discussion now turns to how Tianjin will regroup, refine their defensive stability, and restore confidence after this bruising setback.