Shanghai Shenhua will welcome new head coach Mihajlovic on Aug 18 for the Chinese Super League round 18 makeup match, switching to a 4-2-3-1 attacking formation to chase survival points and a run to the FA Cup quarterfinals.\ \
Who will steer Shanghai Shenhua's tactics?\
Mihajlovic arrived in Shanghai on Aug 12, bringing his coaching staff to take charge. He previously led Red Star Belgrade to five league titles, though his stint in Saudi Arabia with Al‑Jeddah and Damman was modest, his attacking philosophy draws attention.\ \
Why is this Serbian coach's arrival critical?\
Shenhua struggled with injuries last season and failed to break the bottleneck, with interim manager Mao Yijun only securing a 1‑0 win over Haidong for a vital three points. Mihajlovic's 4‑2‑3‑1 system differs from the former 4‑3‑3, emphasizing youth, which may reshuffle midfield and wing positions.\ \
What tough fixtures lie ahead?\
After his debut, the new boss faces a "devil's schedule": Aug 22 against league leaders Chengdu Rongcheng, Aug 29 at home versus Shandong Taishan, plus a test match against Beijing Guoan. All three are survival battles that directly affect the league table.\ \
How does Shenhua's cup outlook look?\
The FA Cup has reached the quarterfinals, with an away tie against Dalian Yingbo on Sep 1. With a tight schedule, the team must first secure survival points in the league, otherwise it may have to "cut its losses" in the cup. The foreign player roster also faces changes: Guy's injury remains uncertain, Latang's form is inconsistent, Tchechia's performances fluctuate, and Minero's contract renewal looks doubtful due to injuries.
