From top to bottom: Felix Magath challenges Shandong Luneng to prove their worth against Beijing Guoan
Third-place side, who only just avoided relegation in 2016, are out to get their Chinese Super League campaign back on track after last week’s defeat by Shanghai SIPG
Coach Felix Magath has challenged his Shandong Luneng side to justify their position towards the top of the Chinese Super League by returning to winning ways at home to Beijing Guoan on Saturday.
Third-place Shandong reeled of three wins to start the new domestic season, but were edged by 2-1 by fellow early season pacesetters Shanghai SIPG last week.
Second-place SIPG are also in action on Saturday as Andre Villas-Boas’ side face in-form Tianjin Quanjian, while Changchun Yatai entertain Shanghai Shenhua and struggling Jiangsu Suning travel to Henan Jianye.
Beijing head into the weekend into sixth, just two points behind SIPG and Shandong after recording back-to-back wins over Shenhua and Henan.
“We will play our fifth game tomorrow and we need to prove to people why we are in this position in the league table,” said German coach Felix Magath, who was appointed midway through last season and eventually helped Shandong avoid relegation by two points.
“[Beijing] are tough, their performance against [Guangzhou] Evergrande was very tough. It will be very difficult for us to win.