Manager Kim Hyun-seok: "We are also considering a top-two striker formation with Malcang and Yago; it will be a real threat to opposing teams" [Anyang Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Hyun-seok, manager of Ulsan HD, revealed his plan to deploy two foreign strikers, Malcang and Yago, simultaneously in a top-two formation.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 9 match against FC Anyang at Anyang Stadium on the 22nd, Manager Kim said, "Not yet, but we do have plans to utilize both Malcang and Yago as a top-two striker pair."

Yago has scored five goals in seven K League matches this season, including a hat-trick in the opening three consecutive games, while Malcang made his debut in the match against Incheon United on the 11th and has been in outstanding form with four goals and one assist in his last three consecutive matches. However, including today, Malcang has started in the front line for Ulsan in the last two consecutive matches, while Yago has been excluded from the lineup for two consecutive matches due to fitness issues, so the two have not been able to play together.

Manager Kim stated, "Yago has been playing continuously since the AFC Champions League. Due to a minor injury, we are giving him rest time as part of rotation. Once Yago's fitness recovers, we plan not only to rotate him with Malcang but also to deploy both as a top-two striker pair."

Continuing, the manager added, "In a way, we should consider both of them as nuclear submarines. If both players go out, opposing teams will surely feel threatened and find it difficult. However, we must also prepare for the risks associated with both players."

Regarding the turnaround after a heavy 1-4 defeat to FC Seoul, followed immediately by a 5-1 victory over Gwangju FC, Manager Kim said, "I sent a message to the players to forget that loss quickly. The players' pride was already scratched, so there was no need to remind them. Thanks to their excellent performance on the field, the results turned out well."

In response, Yoo Byung-hoon, manager of Anyang, said, "After a hard-fought comeback in the Pohang Steelers match, we told the players that we must now express our winning streak not just in words but through action. We prepared for Ulsan by recognizing that while they have individual talent, team-wide pressing, block formation by zone, and mutual cover play are crucial."

Manager Yoo emphasized, "Ulsan scores many goals but also concedes many. We must reduce their scoring power while scoring our own goals. Even if we concede first, we can still score, so maintaining concentration throughout the match is, in a way, the most important aspect."

The manager viewed the "early stage of the match" as the key to victory today. He noted, "Ulsan has conceded six out of their 10 goals within the first 30 minutes of the first half. We have never fielded our best lineup in midweek matches so far, but today we are doing so because we are determined to secure a winning streak."

He added, "There may be risks of player injuries and physical strain, but we decided to field as many available players as possible, especially those in top physical condition, from the start to exploit Ulsan's weakness early on."

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*This content was translated by AI.