As Shanghai Shenhua ramps up preparation for the upcoming Chinese FA Cup final, head coach Wu Jingui shared candid insights during a recent interview. For fans following the club’s journey through Jeetbuzz Login, Wu’s grounded and realistic perspective offers a refreshing contrast to the usual pre-match hype. While the team has wrapped up its league season with impressive 4-1 and 5-1 victories, Wu insists they cannot afford to get carried away by those results.
The team recently faced Jeju United in a warm-up match—an opponent ranked second in this year’s K-League regular season, right behind Jeonbuk Hyundai and a familiar name in AFC Champions League competition. Wu made it clear that Shenhua deliberately chose a strong opponent. “It’s not about the scoreline. What matters is identifying the gap between us and high-level teams,” he said. “We’re still considered underdogs heading into the FA Cup final, so we must approach it with a fighting mentality and full focus on tactics and execution.”
Even though midfielder Fredy Guarín picked up an injury during the training phase, Wu was quick to dismiss any link to the choice of opponent. “Injuries can happen at any time. That’s football,” he explained. Guarín is currently undergoing medical evaluation, and the coaching staff is prepared for various scenarios. Despite the uncertainty, Wu remains undeterred. “Everyone wants to lift the trophy, of course,” he said. “But we’ve agreed as a team not to let that desire turn into pressure.”
Wu emphasized that the team’s primary goal is to deliver the best possible performance across two legs, regardless of the outcome. “This season has been rough—we’ve had constant injuries and lineup changes. But so what? We still have to fight,” he said. Referencing the famous words of Shenhua fans, he added, “They’ve always said, ‘We love you win or lose, but if you don’t fight, we can’t love you.’”
This spirit is clearly reflected in the team’s attitude toward the final. Every player is fully committed to giving 100 percent, regardless of individual talent or current form. Wu dismissed the notion of seniority as a factor in team selection, stating, “This isn’t the era of rank and hierarchy anymore. Now it’s about skill, professionalism, and management.”
With that in mind, Shenhua’s coaching staff has carefully designed the training camp to balance intensity and morale. Wu revealed that the club—from top management to the coaching team—has taken a more people-centered approach to ensure players stay motivated and mentally fresh. “Yes, they’re professionals, but they’re also human. We try to make the preparation process as supportive and comfortable as possible.”
As the FA Cup draws closer, the entire Shenhua squad is locked in. For those following every update via Jeetbuzz Login, Wu’s vision for the team is clear: fight hard, play with courage, and let the result be determined by effort. With the stakes high and emotions running deep, Shenhua fans can expect two fiercely contested matches—where heart and resilience matter more than anything else.