Robert Moreno’s First Friendlies: South Korea vs Ecuador, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Uzbekistan Preview

The Moreno era is upon us. While it stays to be seen whether or not it is going to be a long run run or a brief time period stint, the preliminary indicators appear constructive. The KFA, below severe stress to publicly conduct a correct managerial choice course of, discovered a contemporary tactician who has a transparent philosophy and play fashion. His first NT choice displays his philosophies as properly. How properly it’ll translate over to us, we’ll see within the coming six friendlies from now till November. The first 4 friendlies are as follows: Ecuador (Suwon, 9/24), Uruguay (Seoul, 9/28), Venezuela (Ulsan, 10/2), and Uzbekistan (Yongin, 10/6).

The Callups:

Reportedly, the KFA handed Moreno a database of nationwide workforce choice candidates exterior of the World Cup squad. However, he had already extensively finished analysis on the Okay League, and even knew concerning the Sangju/Gimcheon system. After all, he did apply for this job 2 years in the past. Moreno made it clear from day one to the KFA: status means nothing, whereas present kind and tactical profile imply every little thing. In his interview he revealed that his employees had already compiled and analyzed information on roughly 1,700 Korean gamers previous to making use of for the job, focusing closely on membership performances from their final 10 matches.

One of the most important speaking factors from this roster is the 12 Okay-League gamers named to the 30-man listing (a steep soar from the mere 7 Okay-Leaguers on Hong Myung-bo’s World Cup roster). With the Asian Games taking on a number of KNT regulars like Bae Jun Ho, Eom Ji Sung, Yang Hyun Jun, and Lee Gi Hyeok, a chance got here up for a number of excessive performing Okay Leaguers. The new names embody:

• Jeong Seung Won (FC Seoul): Perhaps essentially the most earned recall in home soccer. There had been whisperings that Jung Seung Won would nearly definitely get referred to as up – he can play actually any place (winger AM striker CM and many others) and is having fun with a career-best marketing campaign with 8 objectives and 6 assists for league-leading FC Seoul. Jeong’s high-intensity work price, stamina, and tactical flexibility make him a perfect engine for Moreno’s high-pressing calls for.
• Kim Geon Hui (Incheon United): A shock call-up at center-back. Uncapped on the senior stage, Kim was particularly scouted for his progressive passing out of the again and capability to deal with extensive floor overlaying.
• Park Tae Jun (Gimcheon Sangmu): The box-to-box midfielder earns his maiden call-up after delivering dominant, disciplined shifts in Okay-League 1 throughout his army service. Reportedly, he’s basically the brand new Kim Jin Kyu – somebody who has a play fashion similar to Hwang In Beom and will likely be anticipated to fill his position when he’s subbed or isn’t out there.

Some guys who had been referred to as up up to now however had not been chosen in years embody goalkeeper Gu Sung Yoon, glorious fullbacks within the Okay League Cho Hyeon Taek and Choi Jun, and attacking midfielder/winger Song Min Kyu (who lastly made the transfer to Europe and is now doing properly in Portugal). And in fact, my decide to be the KNT’s subsequent huge star, Kim Min Su. His profession may very well be a publish by itself, however Rangers followers and actually anybody watching Rangers video games can inform that Minsu is at a stage increased than anybody else on the workforce. His first contact, his directness, his consolation in tight areas, his capability to beat his marker – he’s a category participant at simply age 20. He was at all times going to be referred to as up by Moreno.

One participant who has been mentioned at size is Lee Seung Woo, and he was not referred to as up. Despite tallying 8 objectives and 3 assists in Okay League 1 this season, Lee was left off. Moreno emphasised that choice hinged on defensive self-discipline, off-ball work price, and system match over pure particular person aptitude. Hence why LSW – who has the power to vary the sport offensively, however undoubtedly doesn’t match Moreno’s system – was ignored.

Tactical Breakdown: The 4-4-2, Positional Fluidity, Pressing, Player Fits

Moreno has particularly stated he’ll go for a 4-4-2, however a Moreno 4-4-2 isn’t essentially a strict 4-4-2. As any of us who’ve tinkered with beginning XIs would know, you’ll be able to very simply shift a 4-4-2 right into a 4-2-3-1, or a 4-2-2-2, or a 4-4-1-1.

I haven’t learn Moreno’s ebook, My Recipe for the 4-4-2, however I did get some insights about it on-line. In his manuscript, he outlines the EBO (Estructura Básica Ofensiva), a framework constructed on strict spacing (gamers positioned 15–20 meters aside) and making certain the participant in possession at all times has at the least 4 passing choices inside two touches. Out of possession, he desires a 4-4-2 as a compact mid-block or excessive press. In possession, it morphs fluidly right into a 4-2-2-2 / 3-2-5 construction, with extensive midfielders tucking into half-spaces whereas fullbacks assist them, and 4 gamers highest up fluidly interchanging positions (a la Luis Enrique’s PSG). The fullback remark is particularly essential. HMB used the fullbacks because the extensive attackers, whereas the extensive three up entrance acted extra like attacking mids. Asking Seol Young Woo and Lee Tae Seok to basically be extensive forwards MADE NO SENSE. Moreno, I count on, ought to use the fullbacks extra sensibly.

And not like the disjointed press below Klinsmann, Moreno expects the 2 entrance forwards to provoke organized urgent triggers, forcing turnovers into central zones the place high-stamina engine gamers (like Jeong Seung-won and Hwang In-beom) step up. Moreno truly particularly referred to as out the Okay League for not urgent a lot – and it’s true that Korean groups largely want to drop low and take in stress fairly than urgent excessive.

Oh Se-hun famous after coaching that Moreno’s system depends closely on aggressive, synchronized excessive urgent ranging from the entrance line to win the ball again and immediately create transition possibilities. He states that Moreno’s urgent scheme particularly prompts when the opponent performs a back-pass. Presumably it appears to be like one thing like this:

• Ball rolls backward, closest ahead or winger begins urgent
• Each surrounding participant man-marks tightly to chop off passing choices
• Clearances and turnovers end result

This calls for relentless motion from each participant on the pitch, and to execute this high-work-rate, fluid 4-4-2, Moreno explicitly chosen gamers who match high-mobility roles of their membership environments. Unlike Hong Myung-bo, who favored strict, linear touchline wingers (like Yang Hyun-jun, Yang Min-hyuk, or Jeong Sang-bin), Moreno has introduced in extensive/attacking midfielders who freely interchange between the flanks and central half-spaces.

The new names that the majority immediately align with one of these profile are:

• Kim Min-su (Glasgow Rangers): Highly cell and technically versatile. Having developed in Spain and now enjoying in Scotland, he roams freely between the left wing, central pockets, and often the precise flank. He excels at receiving passes on his again foot in tight areas and executing fast 1-2 mixtures. (Note: He joined the camp newest among the many new guys, so he may not be a starter straight away)
• Jeong Seung-won (FC Seoul): Described because the “Korean Marcos Llorente” in our media, Jeong possesses unmatched stamina and can play just about wherever: wing-back at Daegu, central midfielder, proper midfielder, winger at Suwon, and central midfielder/winger at FC Seoul. In Moreno’s system, wherever deployed, his relentless box-to-box engine will permit him to always cowl area and discover gaps.
• Song Min-kyu (Nacional): A bodily winger who doesn’t simply hug the touchline. When fullbacks overlap, Song tucks inside. Because of his bodily energy, not like smaller wingers who solely duel fullbacks, Song can again into central center-backs, protect the ball below stress, and lay it off to advancing teammates—a tactic closely utilized throughout Jeonbuk’s championship runs.
• Park Tae-jun (Gimcheon Sangmu): Park mirrors Hwang In-beom’s motion—drifting laterally, overlaying floor, and all of the sudden bursting ahead into open central areas when the opposition’s line of defense is pulled aside

Even the opposite guys – Lee Jae Sung, Lee Kang In, Son Heung Min can play just about wherever within the offensive half of the pitch and can tuck into half-spaces. Oh Hyeon Hyu and Cho Gue Sung had been at all times going to be locks however they too drift extensive or drop deep, fairly than appearing as conventional #9s (CGS truly can play the standard #9 along with his aerial dominance however as he began out as a winger earlier than changing into a CF, he nonetheless tends to drop deep or drift extensive – at Midtjylland they straight up place him as an attacking midfielder not a CF). Switching and hyperlink up play must be pure, and Oh Se Hun even publicly praised the 4-4-2 shift to the KFA media, noting {that a} hanging duo permits him to win aerial duels and lay the ball off to a working companion (like Son or Oh Hyeon-gyu) fairly than combating two center-backs alone. In the midfield, he prefers box-to-box profiles who supply each high-frequency distribution and intense off-ball work charges. The stars listed here are going to be Hwang In Beom (clearly), in addition to Jeong Seung Won (chosen for his stamina and versatility) and Park Tae Jun.

I don’t know if I’m making an excessive amount of out of one thing routine, however evidently 1) Moreno has a plan and 2) chosen the personnel to execute that plan. This must be what each supervisor does, however it’s definitely a breath of contemporary air after the disasters of Jurgen Klinsmann and Hong Myung Bo.

Moreno’s Camp So Far: A Modern Contrast to Klinsmann and HMB

The ambiance round Paju and Cheonan feels essentially totally different this time. Where Jürgen Klinsmann was criticized for a laissez-faire, “go play free” administration fashion and Hong Myung-bo confronted backlash over inflexible, passive 3-back setups, Moreno is bringing relentless data-driven, European tactical construction. Unlike prior managers, there are clear tactical directions. Every single participant was interviewed individually, he knew private particulars, and even recreation particular person gamers individualized coaching schedules. Players in camp have reported extremely structured, situational walkthroughs. Moreno isn’t overloading gamers with complicated concept given the brief window; as an alternative, he has clearly outlined simplified, strict positional roles for each section of play. And persevering with with the development of demonstrating shocking homework, Moreno confirmed an intimate information of Korean soccer administration throughout interviews, together with the intricacies of Gimcheon Sangmu’s army service rotation. During the Chuseok vacation window, he publicly rallied followers and gamers, emphasizing “passion, fighting spirit, and dedication” to heal the World Cup hangover.

Expected Lineups: Rotation vs. Full Strength

With long-haul journey for MLS and European gamers (and mid-week membership fixtures for key stars), Moreno is anticipated to stagger his workforce alternatives throughout the 4-match window. Lee Kang In, Lee Han Beom, Hwang In Beom, Kim Min Su, and Son Heung Min all performed JUST this previous Sunday. Lee Kang In, after successful the Madrid Derby, was seen departing the grounds earlier than everybody else – seems he received STRAIGHT onto a airplane, arrived sooner than the opposite KPA who performed Sunday, and had an additional day to coach with Moreno. With such a brief turnaround between membership video games on 9/19-20 and the Ecuador match on 9/24, and having an enormous 4 consecutive video games to check out an enormous 30-man squad, rotation is to be anticipated.

The full-strength lineup (at the least with this roster lacking Jens Castrop and the Asian Games guys) I’d count on to be one thing like:

Oh Hyeon Gyu or Cho Gue Sung – Son Heung Min up high
Lee Jae Sung or Kim Min Su – Hwang In Beom – Paik Seung Ho – Lee Kang In
Lee Tae Seok – Kim Min Jae – Lee Han Beom – Seol Young Woo

But Lee Kang In has performed 180 minutes within the final week and got here from Europe. Lee Han Beom has performed each single minute this season with out getting subbed. Son Heung Min and Kim Min Su should even be fatigued, whereas Bayern appears to be deliberately managing fatigue with Kim Min Jae and Upamecano every enjoying simply 45 minutes earlier than the break.

A home heavy lineup with a couple of brisker European names like Seol Young Woo, Lee Tae Seok, Kim Min Jae, and Oh Hyeon Gyu (having misplaced his beginning berth to Dusan Vlahovic… the managerial change actually harm him) could be anticipated in opposition to Ecuador. Jeong Seung Won has at all times been seen as an ideal Moreno match, so presumably he’ll begin. What I’d be most to see is the place our midfield goes. CM is our weakest place with a steep dropoff after Hwang In Beom – will Paik proceed to companion HIB or will Moreno discover another person?

What to search for?

Redefining FB roles: below earlier managers (Hong Myung-bo / Klinsmann) full-backs like Seol Young Woo and Lee Tae Seok had been pressured to push into the acute ultimate third to behave as main wingers, isolation dribblers, and crossers—placing them in tough 1v1s that they simply can’t do. Under Moreno, full-backs act in a supporting build-up position. Their job is to attract out opposition extensive stress and lay easy ahead passes into the fluid attackers working in half-spaces. I count on to see our fullbacks do loads higher any longer.

Lee Kang In: How properly will Moreno deliver out our high attacking expertise? His system is sort of like Atletico’s – will it’s sort of like Simeone’s system by which LKI holds wider/deeper positions with a broad area of view, appearing as the first playmaker, with excessive engine gamers (Giuliano Simeone, Baena, Llorente and many others) supporting him, permitting LKI to do what he does finest (precision through-balls and crosses to runners)?

I don’t count on ways to be refined after only a few days of coaching camp, however will we see glimmers of what Moreno tries to do? Will we truly see a coordinated press for the primary time in ages? Will we drive turnovers from opposition defenders? Will the 4 central attacking gamers always interchange between the wing and central channels, with assist from a central midfielder to numerically overload defenses? Will the fullbacks efficiently stretch the protection? Will we see off-the-ball vertical runs via the central channels and passes into created areas? We will discover out over the following two weeks, and see how the workforce evolves over time. At the VERY least I’d count on a little bit of dynamism in an enormous shift away from HMB’s rigidity. As a predominantly worldwide soccer fan, I’m loving this new break, and will sincerely hope that our NT lastly turns issues round.