What lineup will Song Lam Nghe An use for the new season?

As known, after the 2023/2024 season ended, Song Lam Nghe An said goodbye to 6 players including: 2 goalkeepers Van Tien, Mai Sy Hoang, midfielder Van Viet, Dang Van Lam, center back Mario Zebic and striker Success.

These 4 domestic players who have to leave are all experienced players, but if we consider their contribution to Song Lam Nghe An last season, they were not really outstanding. Therefore, the Nghe An coaching staff will not have to have too much of a headache when saying goodbye to the 4 faces mentioned above.

As for Mario Zebic and Success, it is very reasonable for Song Lam Nghe An to liquidate them soon. Because this foreign duo had a forgettable season at Vinh Stadium.

Currently, Song Lam Nghe An has successfully contacted striker Benjamin Kuku - Nigerian nationality and center back Sebastian Zaracho - Paraguayan nationality. These will most likely be the two new recruits of Song Lam Nghe An in V-League 2024/25.

Besides, the Nghe An team will receive the services of defender Ho Van Cuong, after returning from the Hanoi Police Club.

So we can rest assured with the force that Song Lam Nghe An currently has in hand. However, for the links in the Nghe An team to operate smoothly, the arrangement of the squad and the appropriate playing style are necessary conditions.

In a recent interview, Song Lam Nghe An head coach Pham Anh Tuan said: "As seen in the previous season, if Song Lam Nghe An played with a 4-4-2 formation, they would be stuck, because playing with that formation requires two really quality central defenders. In addition, the two full-backs must be able to attack and defend sharply. However, currently Song Lam Nghe An does not have the personnel to apply this tactic well. Therefore, we will have to rearrange the squad so that Song Lam Nghe An will have the most effective playing style."

With that statement from the Nghe An coach, it will not be difficult to predict that next season, Song Lam Nghe An will continue to play with a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation.

If the Vinh home team uses the 3-4-3 formation, it will be easier to switch from defense to attack. At that time, the usual goalkeeper position of Song Lam Nghe An will be Van Viet. The 3 central defenders include: Tran Nam Hai, Zaracho, Le Van Thanh; while Bui Thanh Duc, Ba Quyen, Quang Vinh, Ho Van Cuong will take on the midfielder position. The 3 strikers are: Olaha, Kuku and Long Vu. With his inherent strengths and abilities, Kuku will be arranged in the role of a striker. It is easy to see that this is a formation that promises to bring strong destruction to the opponent's defense when needed to attack.

If they have to switch to defense, wingers Ho Van Cuong and Bui Thanh Duc will drop back as full-backs. Meanwhile, striker Long Vu will also return to the role of right winger. Olaha will be allowed to play wide, to attract the opposing defenders to open up opportunities for striker Kuku.

Of course, this is just the expected lineup. With a long-distance race like V-League, player rotation is an inevitable factor. Therefore, personnel such as Tran Dinh Hoang, Le Nguyen Hoang, Vuong Van Huy, Manh Quynh, Phan Xuan Dai... will be the necessary replacements for coach Pham Anh Tuan.

Hopefully with the new additions and suitable team formation, Song Lam Nghe An will perform better, thereby rekindling the atmosphere in the fiery pan of Vinh city./.