Six changes to Evergrande's ACL squad

Reigning Chinese Super League (CSL) champions Guangzhou Evergrande have made six changes to their Asian Champions League (ACL) squad, in a bid to defend their continental title, according to Monday's Titan Sports newspaper.

Following 2013 ACL top scorer Muriqui's departure to Asian rivals Al-Sadd of Qatar, Evergrande's new signing Italian striker Alberto Gilardino stepped into Marcello Lippi's squad, joining his compatriot Alessandro Diamanti and Brazilian forward Elkeson.

Brazilian midfielder Rene Junior was left out due to the limit of three foreign players for each club in the ACL.

Newcomers Li Xuepeng and Yu Hanchao from Dalian Aerbin also made the 30-man squad.

Midfielder Liu Jian, whose contract problem prevented registration for the ACL group stage earlier this year, was picked for the future rounds.

Dong Xuesheng, 25, who was given credit by Lippi due to his solid performances in the CSL this season, earned himself a precious berth, while young keeper Dong Chun-yu also made the cut as backup.

Defender Zhao Peng and midfielder Feng Renliang were removed from the squad due to their loan spell at Chang-chun Yatai, who are likely to be -involved in a battle against -relegation.

Yang Chaosheng, who scored once during national duty for the under-22 Chinese team earlier this year, was wiped from the squad due to his loan spell at Liaoning Whowin. Junior players Gan Tiancheng and Hu Bowen were also dropped.

Evergrande, who avoided a CSL home defeat on Sunday to Shandong Luneng thanks to Vagner Love missing a 41st-minute penalty, face skepticism over their attack.

Gilardino is yet to debut for Evergrande as the 2006 World Cup winner still needs time to get fit according to coach Lippi, while compatriot Diamanti's contribution to the team seems far from what former play-maker Dario Conca offered.

Diamanti was seen tearing his collar after sending a free kick into the stands in the Luneng game.

Evergrande have already suffered two defeats both -domestically and continentally as they look to defend their titles, which is far from their dominant performance last year.

Evergrande, China's only hope in the ACL, will visit Western Sydney Wanderers of -Australia on August 20 in the first-leg quarterfinal game -before a home decider one week later.