Only Four CSL Rounds Left! Shandong Taishan Hit by Major Injury Blow, Top-Four Push in Doubt?

With only four rounds left in the CSL season, Shandong Taishan's push for a top-four finish has been hit by an injury setback — star striker Zeca suffered a fracture of his right medial ankle, with a recovery period of at least 6-8 weeks, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season. After 26 rounds, the team had 37 points and sat sixth, just one point away from the top four, but a situation that seemed within reach has suddenly become much more uncertain.

First, it is worth looking at how important Zeca has been to Taishan this season. Many people's impression of him may still be that of a traditional target man with strong aerial ability, but this season has shown that he is far from a typical static center forward. His height gives him an advantage, and his aerial duel success rate has consistently been among the best in attack. More importantly, his technical ability is not limited, his finishing in front of goal is reliable, and he can drop deep to receive the ball or move wide to support attacks, effectively connecting Taishan's forward play.

More importantly, his ability to draw defenders has been crucial. When Zeca has the ball, opposing defenses often need two players to close him down, creating space for teammates such as Cryzan and Xie Wenneng. He has served as a finisher, a playmaker, and a creator of space at the same time, meaning many of Taishan's attacking patterns have revolved around him. His injury means the team has lost a key figure who could carry responsibility in attack, forcing adjustments throughout the offensive system.

Taishan's forward options were already not particularly deep. Over recent seasons, the ability of domestic forwards to handle difficult situations has remained a weakness, and when facing compact defenses, it has been difficult for someone to step up and break through. With Zeca leading the line, the team previously had a reliable option for rotation and support, but now it has lost its most dependable attacking point. Whether the remaining players can fill the gap remains a question. The final four rounds are all crucial points battles, and every result will directly affect the final standings, leaving almost no room for mistakes.

How tight is the current top-four race? Taishan have 37 points and are sixth, only one point away from the top four, while the teams around them are separated by very small margins. A single match result could change the rankings by several places. At this stage, the key factors are squad stability and whether important players can handle pressure. Unfortunately for Taishan, they have lost their biggest attacking pillar at the most critical moment. Their offensive strength will certainly be affected, and their ability to collect points will also decline.

Of course, this does not mean Taishan have no chance at all. There are still four matches remaining, and interim head coach Tang Tian still has options to adjust, such as pushing Cryzan further forward or allowing midfielders to make more attacking runs and using collective play to compensate for the absence of one player. However, these are only plans on paper. Once on the pitch, player chemistry and tactical execution will still be uncertain. Temporary changes also carry risks, and poor adjustments could even disrupt the team's previous defensive rhythm.

In recent years, Taishan have often faced concerns about struggling during key stages. This is not about a lack of effort from the players, but rather that the squad depth and response to injuries have sometimes fallen short. Previous seasons have also seen core players miss time through injuries, followed by fluctuations in results. Now facing a similar situation again, it will depend on whether the coaching staff can quickly find emergency solutions and whether other attacking players can seize the opportunity to step up.

After all, there are only a limited number of top-four places, and opponents will not ease off because Taishan have lost a key player. Every remaining match will be a tough battle. Taishan need points at home and cannot afford to drop points away. Problems that Zeca previously solved now need to be handled by the entire team together. If they overcome the challenge, the top four remains possible; if not, they may have to say goodbye to their AFC Champions League qualification hopes this season.

What do you think? Without Zeca, can Shandong Taishan still break into the CSL top four in the final four rounds?