‘Warning light’ that fell in Ulsan… What to do with injured/tired defense rotation

Although he succeeded in accumulating the number of wins in three games, Ulsan Hyundai coach Hong Myung-bo’s concerns deserve deepening.

Ulsan won 1-0 in the K-League 1 round 9 away match against Incheon United on the 25th, with a header from Hungarian tall striker Martin Adam in the 9th minute of the first half. Ulsan, which had stagnated with 1 draw and 1 loss in the last 2 games after winning 6 consecutive wins in the opening game, added 3 points again and consolidated its lead in the league (7 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, 22 points). There is a pursuit team, including second place Pohang Steelers (19 points), but it is meaningful to reverse the atmosphere.

Nevertheless, the game against Incheon gave Ulsan a ‘warning message’. In particular, it was worth feeling the defensive line injury and physical risk. Coach Hong started a partial rotation that day in preparation for the 10th round home game against Gwangju FC on the 30th. Adam, who started instead of Joo Min-kyu, who is recording 4 goals, scored the first and final goal of the season and achieved significant results. Kang Yoon-gu, a U-22 resource who got a chance to start again after two games, also helped Adam score a header with an exquisite cross.

However, the defensive area was different from the first half to the second half. Veteran center back Kim Young-kwon, who served as the starting point for Ulsan’s build-up, Lee Gyu-seong, the key player in the third line, and Seol Young-woo, full-back, threw their whole bodies to block Incheon’s offensive despite feeling physical difficulties in the second half.

Kim Young-kwon and Seol Young-woo played full-time starting positions in all nine games this season. Lee Kyu-seong played 8 games, but he is one of the players who run the most, going back and forth between the 2nd and 3rd lines. The opposing team comes out with stronger pressure and a quick counterattack strategy to control Ulsan’s build-up. Kim Young-kwon, Seol Young-woo, and Lee Gyu-seong often collide with opponents and serve as starting points for attacking.

The second half of the game against Incheon looked difficult. Ulsan dominated the game by not allowing a single shot to Incheon until the 38th minute of the first half. However, in the second half, the pass success rate and possession dropped sharply. According to data from ‘Bpro Eleven’, a soccer data company, a pass success rate of 82.4% and a possession rate of 42.9% were recorded between 45 and 60 minutes, followed by 79.5% and 41% between 60 and 75 minutes, and 69.6% and 28.5% between 75 and 90 minutes, respectively. did. 메이저사이트

Also, against Incheon, Ulsan had an effective shot rate of 22.2% and a cross success rate of 13.3%. When winning 5 consecutive wins (3-1 wins) against Jeju United on the 2nd, the effective shot rate was 53.3% and the cross success rate was 31.3%. On the 8th, when he recorded 6 consecutive wins, against Suwon Samsung (2-1 win), the effective shot rate was 40%, and the cross success rate was 31.3%, the same as against Jeju.

Coach Hong also feels the need for a defensive rotation. However, center back Jeong Seung-hyeon injured his right thigh, and Lim Jong-eun is out with a sprained left knee. Fullback Kim Tae-hwan has Achilles tendinitis in both feet. In a situation where the main agent is injured, the players who have not had a chance so far have to improve their condition and serve as the main power source.

Regarding the story of the Gwangju match, coach Hong said, “I think I need to think about (defense selection). Kim Young-kwon has physical difficulties. I will judge well and prepare for the next game.”