Finding the optimal position for Lee Kang-in; Moreno also opens up the possibility of a 4-4-2 shift... Both wingers and midfielders in focus [Cheonan on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Robert Moreno, head coach of the South Korea national football team, expressed his intention to find the optimal position that can maximize the strengths of the "ace" Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid).

Coach Moreno held a press conference at 2 p.m. on the 29th at Cheonan Korea Football Park in Chungnam Province and announced the list of 26 Taeguk Warriors who will compete in the November A-matches.

South Korea will play two away friendly matches against Saudi Arabia on November 13 and Qatar on the 17th in Doha, Qatar. This is the final A-match schedule for this year.

The current roster includes all key players, including Lee Kang-in, captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang In-beom (Porto), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke).

However, Lee Kang-in was assessed as having delivered somewhat disappointing performances in the previous A-matches in September and October. During that period, Lee Kang-in appeared in three matches; he assisted Son Heung-min's goal against Uruguay but failed to deliver the expected performance in the matches against Venezuela and Uzbekistan.

Lee Kang-in is a versatile player capable of handling various positions. He also takes on multiple roles at his club, Atletico. In addition to playing as a winger, he plays as a midfielder, contributing strength to the team's attack.

It is necessary to maximize these strengths of Lee Kang-in in the national team as well. Coach Moreno is also considering how to utilize Lee Kang-in. He stated that rather than fixing Lee Kang-in to a single position, he intends to find a role where his strengths can be fully expressed.

On this day, Coach Moreno said, "The national team hopes for Lee Kang-in to show his best form," explaining, "Lee Kang-in is currently handling two positions at Atletico."

He added, "In the previous match, he played as a winger in a 4-3-3 formation. But there were definitely matches where he appeared as a midfielder."

He continued, "What we expect from Lee Kang-in in the national team is to draw out his best performance," stating, "Our goal is to find where and in what role he can show his best form, with the entire coaching staff helping to achieve this."

In particular, Coach Moreno hinted at the possibility of changing the 4-4-2 formation he has presented as his basic tactic to enhance the team's performance and leverage players' strengths. This could also apply to how Lee Kang-in is utilized.

Coach Moreno explained, "When we say we play a 4-4-2, that is what we state on paper until the referee blows the whistle to start the match."

He added, "Once the match begins, many variables arise. During the previous camp, we said we would play a 4-4-2, but looking at the actual matches, we often deployed a three-back system. We also showed modified systems by pushing up the wing-backs."

In fact, Coach Moreno utilized 4-4-2 as his base during the four-match A-match series in September and October, while adjusting the number of defenders and players' positions according to the game situation. South Korea recorded two wins, one draw, and one loss in the four-match series.

Coach Moreno emphasized, "What we want to do is adapt and make changes within the basic 4-4-2 system according to the opponent's tactics and match plan," adding, "If that is a way to get closer to victory, we can make any change."

He added, "I hope you do not think of the 4-4-2 as a fixed tactic. It can be sufficiently modified depending on the opponent and the game situation, and we must prepare for those aspects."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original