"There will be no one to stop them." Ulsan's terrifying plan: Malcom and Yago to form a "twin tower" [Anyang on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Shouldn't we consider both of them as nuclear submarines?"

Asked about the possibility of coexistence between Ulsan HD's two foreign strikers, Yago (27) and Malcom (32, both from Brazil), Coach Kim Hyun-seok (59) smiled and replied. The interview took place ahead of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 9 match against FC Anyang at Anyang Stadium on the 22nd. Coach Kim stated, "If Yago's condition reaches 100 percent, using both Yago and Malcom simultaneously would be more threatening to opposing teams than rotating them."

In reality, Yago and Malcom have been in a competitive relationship so far. Strictly speaking, Yago has been the starter, while Malcom joined the lineup late as a backup. Yago started in all seven matches since the K League 1 season opener, scoring five goals, including a hat-trick in the first three matches. Malcom adjusted his condition for a while after the season began and started playing from the 11th. In the two matches where Malcom was substituted in, Yago was the player replaced. In the two recent matches where Malcom started, Yago was completely left out of the lineup due to a minor injury and condition management. The two have not played together since the season opener.

Coincidentally, after Yago was left out of the lineup, Malcom flourished. Although he was silent in today's match against Anyang, he had previously accumulated four goals and one assist in three consecutive matches, including a hat-trick. For Coach Kim Hyun-seok, who employs a single-striker tactic, it is a "happy dilemma" to choose between Yago, who has five goals in seven matches, and Malcom, who has four goals and one assist in four matches. Adding Huh Yul (25), who recently succeeded in reviving his form with two consecutive goals in the last two matches, only deepens the dilemma.

However, Coach Kim Hyun-seok has no intention of wasting his attacking resources. If Malcom steadily improves his match fitness and Yago recovers his condition, he even has plans to deploy both strikers simultaneously at the front line. Coach Kim said, "It doesn't seem like it will happen yet," but added, "If Yago and Malcom play together, I believe opposing teams will struggle. Of course, we must prepare for the risks associated with this tactic."

Although not the Malcom-Yago combination, the so-called "twin tower" of Malcom and Huh Yul was deployed from the second half onwards in today's match against Anyang, eventually leading to an equalizing goal. A cross from Lee Jin-hyun on the left wing headed toward the goal, and Huh Yul connected with a header to shake the net. Malcom engaged in a battle for the ball in the penalty area, dispersing the opposing defense, and Huh Yul did not miss the opportunity. For Coach Kim Hyun-seok, this match served as a direct confirmation of the possibility of the twin-tower tactic he has been planning.

Malcom also expressed expectations regarding the possibility of a twin-tower formation with Yago. After the match against Anyang, he said, "It's not 100 percent yet, but I feel my performance is improving with every match. Physically, I am superior to the opposing players, so I can draw many defenders toward me. Through that, I can help the team in creating opportunities, just as Huh Yul scored today."

Continuing, Malcom said, "The coach is the one who watches us most closely. I believe he knows our abilities well. While we need to improve our performance even more than now, if (the twin-tower tactic with Yago) is completed, I believe there will be no one to stop us."

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*This content was translated by AI.