'Pulling' Phan Van Duc into central midfield at SLNA: Why not?

It can be said that the return of Dinh Dong, Van Khanh and Xuan Manh at this time helps coach Quang Truong and SLNA's coaching staff have more options to reinforce the defense that has been patched up over the past matches. By the time V.Leaue 2020 returns, the aforementioned trio will certainly have regained their form to return to the main squad.

Recently, SLNA's coaching staff has also registered two new faces, goalkeeper Le Van Hung and Philippe Martins. In goal, coach Quang Truong will have two options: Van Hung and Van Hoang. In fact, Van Hoang has not been in good form in the last 6 matches, partly due to too much pressure, it is time for Van Hung to try his hand and wait for his junior to regain the necessary mental comfort.

In the defense, the injured pillars forced SLNA to constantly switch between Ngoc Duc and Sy Hoang. Both have good wing attack ability but their defense and fighting ability are weak points. Therefore, when Dinh Dong returns, the official position will definitely belong to the veteran born in 1987.

Pham Xuan Manh will be more dangerous when playing as a winger instead of a defender. Photo: Trung Kien

The right-back position is something that SLNA's coaching board must consider. Defender Sy Nam has played well in many matches, if Pham Xuan Manh plays in this position, it will be considered a waste. Therefore, SLNA will most likely return to the defender quartet Dinh Dong - Van Khanh - Gustavo Santos and Sy Nam like in the matches at the beginning of the season. In addition, this squad has also been thoroughly trained before the start of V.League 2020.

In midfield, the two winger positions usually belong to Phan Van Duc and Ho Tuan Tai, SLNA's wingers are still considered quality. Up to now, Van Duc has scored 2 goals and Tuan Tai has scored 3 goals. The combination of this duo is very necessary in the context that SLNA's foreign player has not scored any goals yet. However, when Xuan Manh returns, SLNA's coaching board needs to consider using him in the midfield position.

Phan Van Duc is capable of playing in the advanced central midfielder position. Photo: Duc Anh

In the past, Xuan Manh used to play as a central midfielder for SLNA U21, but if he were to play with Dinh Chau, Quang Tinh or Van Lam, he would certainly still feel somewhat awkward. The central midfield is currently the most important but weakest position of SLNA.

Based on the 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1 formations, one of the options that SLNA's coaching staff can completely consider is to let Pham Xuan Manh replace Phan Van Duc and SLNA's number 1 explosive player play as a midfielder with Dinh Chau or Quang Tinh.

Throughout the past matches, Van Duc often tends to move inside to play the ball like a central midfielder. Skillful technique, intelligent thinking, and accurate passing ability are the skills that Van Duc can do well as a high-flying central midfielder.

Phan Van Duc can play as central midfielder so that Pham Xuan Manh can play his best position. Graphics: TK

In fact, in SLNA’s shirt, Phan Van Duc is no longer “served” as much as before, he is forced to play low to support his teammates up front. With the striker pair Peter Samuel, Philippe Martins, SLNA will have 3 explosive players behind: Xuan Manh, Van Duc and Tuan Tai.

Assistant coach Phan Nhu Thuat revealed that one of the reasons for SLNA's decline was that opponents had figured out the team's playing style in the first 5 matches. In the current context, the gap between the main players and the reserve players is too large, so SLNA's coaching staff should have many options to adapt to each specific match.

The explosive moment of Phan Van Duc and SLNA on the return of V.League 2020

(Baonghean.vn) - On the day V.League 2020 marked the return of matches in round 3, Phan Van Duc and his teammates at SLNA had a successful, complete match against the visiting team SHB Da Nang.