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Agence France-Presse

Rafael Benitez’s Dalian Pro avoided relegation from the Chinese Super League on Thursday, despite winning just three times in 16 games this season.
The Champions League-winning coach breathed a sigh of relief after Dalian overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 on aggregate.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss saw his side win 2-0 on the evening, just their third victory in the coronavirus-disrupted campaign.
“In this difficult situation, in this difficult year, we achieved something that was important for the young players and for the Wanda (Dalian owners) project, to stay in the Chinese Super League,” said the 60-year-old Spaniard.
Zhang double earns Beijing Guoan meeting with champions Guangzhou Evergrande
The CSL revamped its format because of the pandemic, playing the delayed campaign in two secure “bubbles” over two phases.
In the first phase, Dalian won twice in 14 matches in their group, putting them into a relegation dogfight.

Benitez, who took Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, has often said that he has the youngest team in the CSL.
He was also missing former Napoli star Marek Hamsik for the must-win match, but did have former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon.
Five-star Guangzhou Evergrande send out warning to title rivals as Teda secure status
“This competition was very difficult because a knockout competition is very difficult for young players,” he said.
“So to achieve what we have achieved is great news for them for the future because they will have more experience now.”
Shijiazhuang can still save themselves from the drop with victory in the next round.


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Chinese Super League

CSL: Rafa Benitez escapes relegation in China after only three wins for Dalian Pro

Rafa Benitez’s Dalian Pro avoided relegation after his team secured a 3-2 aggregate win over Shijiazhuang Ever Bright. Photo: Xinhua

(201017) -- DALIAN, Oct. 17, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Rafa Benitez, head coach of Dalian Pro, gestures during the 15th round match between Dalian Pro and Shijiazhuang Ever Bright at 2020 season Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) Dalian Division in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 17, 2020. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

CSL: Zhang double earns Beijing Guoan meeting with champions Guangzhou Evergrande

Beijing Guoan will meet Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League semi-final. Photo: Xinhua

CSL: five-star Guangzhou Evergrande send out warning to title rivals as Teda secure status

Paulinho (second from right) was on the scoresheet for Guangzhou Evergrande in their win over Hebei China Fortune. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

China


The Champions League-winning coach breathes a sigh of relief after Dalian overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 on aggregate



The Champions League-winning coach breathes a sigh of relief after Dalian overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 on aggregate.


Dalian Wanda Group

CSL: Rafa Benitez escapes relegation in China after only three wins for Dalian Pro

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The Champions League-winning coach breathes a sigh of relief after Dalian overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 on aggregate

The Champions League-winning coach breathes a sigh of relief after Dalian overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Shijiazhuang Ever Bright 3-2 on aggregate