We are very proud to host the official K-league united Writers Chat. In this item we chat with Ryan Walters from Kleagueunited.com and ask him for his predictions on the second leg of the ACL quarter-finals between Shandong Luneng and FC Seoul.
The first match we saw the Korean side dominate and eventually come out on top scoring 3 times, while Shandong got the important away goal: 3-1. This means the Chinese outfit will have their work cut out for them in the second match on Wednesday and especially coming off a poor result in the Super League, it will be interesting to see how they line up against FC Seoul.
First FC Insider asks and Ryan Walters answers for K-league United.
FC Insider: Let’s start with a quick recap of the last game, since it’s already a couple of weeks behind us: 3-1, fair result?
Ryan: I’d say it was quite the fair result. Seoul bossed the game for large stretches and if not for Montillo’s truly brilliant free kick would have rightly held a clean sheet. Seoul had more corners, shots, and shots on target and held 62% possession on the night, so it’d be tough to say they didn’t earn the margin of victory.
FC Insider: Can we expect FC Seoul at their strongest on Wednesday? Did they manage to come out of the international break unharmed?
Ryan: Seoul’s roster has survived unharmed, but they’re coming in on a slight slide. The team’s been up and down in K-League all season and unfortunately for those hoping for a title race, they’ve allowed Jeonbuk to pad an already extraordinary lead at the top by going winless in their last three. The weekend loss to Incheon saw them fall victim to the definition of a trap game facing a cellar dweller a few days before a much more important ACL draw. Seoul simply weren’t up for the game and the scoreline reflected it. But, even with recent results in mind, I think they’ll be well up for the match at Jinan Olympic Sports Center. Adriano will likely start and cause the defense headaches alongside Dejan, so the offense will be firing on all cylinders.
FC Insider: In the first half we believe we all saw a pretty even match, but in the second half Seoul very clearly came out on top. What stood out most in their performance for you? Who or what impressed you the most?
Ryan: Park Chu-young took home Man of the Match honors, but for me Korean National Team defender Kwak Tae-hwi had the standout performance. The announcers were barely able to call Graziano Pellè’s name as Kwak had him in pocket the entire night. Though there were a few good chances for Shandong throughout the game, they didn’t manage to score from the run of play and that’s largely due to Kwak interrupting the offense’s flow through Pellè and denying him any genuine chances. On the other side of the ball, former Beijing Guoan striker Dejan Damjanović had himself a night burying a header and adding a delectable back heel assist for good measure. For me, those two asserting themselves throughout the match are what turned the tide in Seoul’s favor.
FC Insider: And the inevitable next question would be: what disappointed you the most in Shandong Luneng? And how do you think Luneng should adjust to this in this weeks game?
Ryan: The glaring deficit had to be Pellè’s absence from the match. Again, Kwak Tae-hwi did a hell of a job handling the Italian international, but Luneng’s going to need more from him in the home leg if they’re to have any hope of advancing. With Montillo’s current form, Pellè doesn’t necessarily need to be the one scoring the goals, but he definitely needs to be more involved in the offense to draw the defense away from Montillo and create more chances for other attackers. Adding Papiss Cissé to the mix should help awaken the offense and create more problems for Seoul’s defense. Perhaps a shift in formation to allow as much movement for those three as possible will be what Luneng needs?
FC Insider: Shandong Luneng recently played a friendly against fellow K-League side Gwangju FC in preparation for this ACL bout, and Gwangju coach Nam Ki-il was quoted saying “Luneng certainly still have a fighting chance, as FC Seoul clearly have their weaknesses”. Would you agree, and if so: where do you feel Luneng could hurt their opponents?
Ryan: Of course Luneng still have a chance. A two goal deficit with a road goal in hand is far from insurmountable for a team with the offensive firepower Shandong boasts. Especially when playing at home with Seoul needing to travel just a few days after playing away to Incheon in league play. Even with Kwak Tae-hwi’s addition, the glaring weakness for Seoul is still a shaky backline that’s prone to mistakes. In their last three league matches they’ve allowed six goals and a number of them were from missed assignments or lack of execution. The switch to a four man backline has helped, and they’ll likely be attempting to park two buses in front of the net Wednesday, but an early goal and some sustained pressure from multiple points may well be enough for Luneng to get the goals they need.
FC Insider: And of course what we love most: score prediction?
Ryan: Even if Luneng manage to put an early goal by Seoul, I don’t think their defense can keep Dejan, Adriano, and company off the board. Shandong may even win the game, but I’d expect the road goal deficit to be erased by Seoul and foresee them keeping it close enough to advance. The first leg was a wild one, so this is more of a shot in the dark than prediction, but let’s go with Shandong Luneng 2-2 FC Seoul.
Ryan Walters asks Hans Dekker answers for FC Insider
Ryan: Shandong have only had one competitive match since the first leg and had to settle for a draw against 15th place Changchun Yatai after surrendering the lead to former K-Leaguer Mislav Oršić’s 50th minute goal. Before that they played two friendlies vs K-League’s Gwangju FC winning one and losing the other. With that much time off and some ho-hum results how confident do you think the team will be heading into the second leg?
Hans: This season has not given Luneng too much opportunity for optimism or confidence and for this match they really have to rely on their more experienced people. In Felix Magath they have a very experienced trainer and hopefully his confidence will rub off on the players.
In the field this person would have to be Walter Montillo. In the latest press conference the Argentinian brought up that he has over 500 matches under his belt and that all the counts on is for his team to do their job.
Both him and Magath mentioned that the preparation for this match and for example the Changchun Yatai match are completely different – and if the are able to score the opener this might give the team the boost of morale they need.
Ryan: Shandong have only had one competitive match since the first leg and had to settle for a draw against 15th place Changchun YataiThough they created some chances in the first leg, Luneng’s offense was clearly frustrated by the end of the match vs Seoul having failed to score from the run of play. What do you think they’ll do differently to find the back of the net Wednesday night?
Hans: Like you mentioned in some of your answers they definitely need Pelle to step up his game. He was practically invisible in the first match but Luneng can not really afford to change their game plan too much. Their tactics are mainly build around Pelle providing for that second ball.
It also became very clear that when given the opportunity to create a dangerous situation that most people on the Shandong side were lacking the ability to stay calm and play out the attack. To counter this it would be very favorable to look even more to both Walter Montillo and Graziano Pelle in attack as they are the more experienced players.
But as mentioned before Shandong do not possess the ability to play a very different game than their approach in the away leg. They need to play smarter and stay more calm in front of goal.
Ryan: Shandong have only had one competitive match since the first leg and had to settle for a draw against 15th place Changchun YataiJin Jingdao picked up a red card in the first leg and won’t be available Wednesday night. How big of an absence is that and who do you think fills in for him?
Hans: He will not be missed too dearly by Magath and his men. Jin Jingdao has been rotated trough out the entire midfield, some back line positions, and even in a more attacking role. This means he has never been an important player in one particular position in the team of Shandong Luneng and he could be replaced without too much trouble.
As to whom might replace him we can only guess. Magath has refused to give any information on his possible starting eleven for this match and he could be plotting something. In their last match against Changchun (1-1 draw) Shandong came out in a 3-5-2 formation without Jin Jingdao making an appearance.
Ryan: Shandong have only had one competitive match since the first leg and had to settle for a draw against 15th place Changchun YataiLuneng have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 7 matches overall and in 77% of their home matches this year. Do they have it in them to keep Seoul scoreless, or will they simply aim to limit the damage? Who’s the key player for their defense to stand tall?
Hans: The Luneng defense has been shaky this season and this match will probably be no different. There are obviously some communication issues in the back that were reflected the most in Gil getting into a big verbal confrontation earlier this season with his own goalie.
By bringing back Jucilei Felix Magath has tried solving this issue but as you have witnessed in Seoul the defense is still all but looking great. That being said the Jucilei – Gil duo could make for a very good one and this fixture would be the perfect opportunity for them to show this.
Ryan: Shandong have only had one competitive match since the first leg and had to settle for a draw against 15th place Changchun YataiScore prediction?
Hans: It will be close to impossible for Luneng to keep a clean sheet. Therefore we predict a very thrilling encounter with the home side leading 3-1 after 90 minutes and eventually going trough to the semi-finals.
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