New hope for SLNA in midfield

(Baonghean) - SLNA has temporarily escaped after two consecutive stumbles at the beginning of the season with a draw and a somewhat surprising victory against defending champion Binh Duong right at Go Dau Stadium. However, looking at the overall picture, it can be seen that SLNA still has many concerns. Especially in the midfield when the Vinh team is lacking a player who can "play the ball" and create breakthroughs in the match.

Lacking a midfielder to organize the play and distribute the ball, SLNA's strikers are constantly "hungry for the ball". Photo: D.C.

In the situation where many key players of the previous season "left", the two new foreign players of SLNA this season are expected a lot. They are hoped by Nghe An fans to be the saviors for the team with many young players in the squad. But in reality, after 4 rounds, both Odat and Baba have not been able to reassure the coaching staff and fans. The simple reason is that they are very hungry for the ball every time SLNA plays, because the midfield of the yellow shirt team is always divided and there is no individual who can create for them.

Looking at SLNA’s all-domestic midfield this season, it can be seen that the players in coach Ngo Quang Truong’s hands are all unable to perform well in the task of controlling the ball. Phi Son is considered the most technically skilled player, but he is a true winger. Moreover, when he overuses his technique and is caught by the opponent, the midfielder from Ha Tinh is considered “off”.

Number 12 Khac Ngoc is probably the one that coach Ngo Quang Truong has the most expectations for this season, he is considered the core of the Nghe team's playing style, but after 4 rounds, what people have seen is disappointment. Khac Ngoc has good technique and ability to compete, but his ability to distribute the ball and launch attacks is still too poor.

Yet, the team with a lot of instability in the midfield, had a surprising victory against Binh Duong right at Go Dau in the 4th round. In that match, with the adjustment of both personnel and formation of the team by coach Ngo Quang Truong, SLNA had a match that could be said to be the best after 4 rounds. The special highlight that brought victory to the Nghe team was that coach Quang Truong pulled foreign player Baba down to play in the position of a shuttle midfielder.

In other words, he turned Baba into a midfielder who organized the game. Basically, SLNA still played with a formation of 2 foreign players in the striker position, but coach Ngo Quang Truong proactively adjusted Baba to play lower than foreign player Odal. And this adjustment completely brought unexpected results for him. Even if it was a dream, no one would dare to affirm that SLNA would score points against the defending champion Binh Duong.

By being pulled down and playing the role of organizer and leader of the game, Baba showed his ability. He was present in most of the yellow team's attacking phases. With his sweeping power and very good personal technique, the Ivorian foreign player was the main trigger in the siege of Tan Truong's goal. The goals that Odal scored also came from the attacks launched by Baba's feet.

His ability to create breakthroughs and coordinate the ball has helped coach Ngo Quang Truong find the answer: "Who is the one who plays the ball and leads on the field now?" for the Nghe An team.

Looking back at the past, we can see that the option of pulling a striker down to play as an organizing midfielder at SLNA was not absent. Remember, when coach Huu Thang was still in charge, foreign player Hector - a player who when he first joined SLNA played as a striker, was reluctantly pulled back by coach Huu Thang to play as an organizing midfielder when SLNA's midfield was in crisis.

Surprisingly, Hector played outstandingly right after that and was considered one of the best midfielders in Vleague at that time. Just like Baba now, Hector has excellent technique and good ball coordination ability. He became the main nucleus in the midfield of the Nghe An team.

Thus, it can be seen that in the past, SLNA has also succeeded in pulling a foreign striker down to play in the position of organizing midfielder. Moreover, looking at the bright spot of SLNA's victory against Binh Duong, it can be seen that Coach Ngo Quang Truong's experiment was completely correct.

In the situation where SLNA's young midfield has not shown much confidence and lacks and is very weak in expertise, moving Baba down to play in the organizing midfield position will give SLNA more chances to win. Not only that, when the thirst for the ball is quenched and there is someone to create opportunities, surely the "blockbuster" foreign player Odat will be able to fully demonstrate his abilities.

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