Shandong Luneng’s recent dip in form has raised concerns, especially among fans closely tracking the team through Melbet APK. Over the past four matches, Luneng suffered losses to Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian, drew with Yanbian, and managed only one win against Henan Jianye, collecting just four points. Although they still sit fourth in the Chinese Super League table, their gap with league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande has widened to 11 points—a sharp contrast to the 2-point deficit just four rounds ago.

A key issue has been a tactical bottleneck. In all four recent matches, Luneng dominated possession but failed to secure convincing results. Ironically, earlier in the season, when they employed a more defensive counter-attacking strategy, the team consistently won matches. The shift in outcomes highlights a deeper problem. One contributing factor is the overall playing style across the league—more than half of the CSL teams rely on defensive counterplay, while very few can truly execute a possession-based, passing game effectively. Even clubs like Hebei and Tianjin Quanjian, which initially pursued a “beautiful football” philosophy, eventually reverted to more pragmatic, defense-oriented tactics after underwhelming results.

Another reason for Luneng’s recent struggles is that rival teams have begun analyzing their gameplay in detail, especially by tightening up defense on the flanks. When Luneng’s wing attacks are neutralized, their offensive power significantly drops. Although Luneng’s possession rates remain high, much of it is concentrated in their own half and the midfield, limiting actual attacking threat.

Still, it’s important to note that across 11 matches, Luneng has outperformed preseason expectations. Just a year ago, they were hovering near the relegation zone. Now, they are considered part of the AFC Champions League race. However, the trend shows signs of decline. After a strong start with five wins in their first seven games, the team managed only one win in the next four, exposing weaknesses on both offense and defense—especially in the back line.

So far, Luneng has scored 18 goals from 11 matches, placing them fourth in the CSL for goals scored. They have found the net in every game, a commendable achievement. On the defensive end, they have conceded 11 goals, tied with Hebei for the second-best defensive record in the league. This highlights coach Felix Magath’s core philosophy: solid defense as the foundation for effective offense.

As the league enters a break, Magath intends to use this window to further refine the team’s tactical setup—starting from the back. For fans who follow Luneng’s performance through Melbet APK, the break could signal a crucial turning point. With a stronger defense and balanced gameplay, Luneng hopes to regain momentum and keep pace with the top of the table. The Melbet APK will continue to be an essential companion for supporters looking to track every lineup change, tactic tweak, and result in real time.