2024 Shanghai Rising Stars Cup group stage, Shanghai team lost 1-2 to Inter Milan on August 13th. In an interview with the New Evening Post, Xu Genbao talked about the gap between domestic youth training players and players from top European teams.

When asked about the gap between Shanghai team and top teams:

Xu Genbao: There is still a gap between Shanghai team and Real Madrid, but after watching the first half today, I feel that the gap between Shanghai team and Inter Milan is not that big. I spent two years in Spain, and I know that not all European teams have outstanding youth academies. Clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid are outstanding because they prioritize youth training. Their strength will be more prominent compared to other clubs.

When asked about the gap between domestic youth training players and players from top European teams:

Xu Genbao: Our gap is comprehensive, not just in one aspect. The main difference lies in the application of techniques and rationality on the field. Whether to pass the ball when it should be passed, whether to make forward runs when necessary, and whether the positioning is in place. Our overall gap is too big. But I feel that the biggest problem is still awareness, which is what I just mentioned, the application of techniques and rationality.

Compared to the players I coached in the past, there is still a gap between current players and them. The players I had before were the best selected from all over the country. Shanghai team mainly consists of Shanghai Shenhua players, and the players in the national team at that time had a lot of potential, such as Fan Zhiyi, Ma Mingyu, Hu Zhijun. Back then, there were more players from different regions, and there were more players with good conditions. Now, there are not many outstanding players in various clubs, including local clubs. Therefore, Wu Lei is still the best striker up to now.