What lineup will Song Lam Nghe An use for the new season?
With Song Lam Nghe An adding several new players, fans are wondering how the team will adjust its lineup to improve its playing style heading into the 2024/25 V-League season?
As is known, after the 2023/2024 season ended, Song Lam Nghe An parted ways with 6 players including: 2 goalkeepers Van Tien and Mai Sy Hoang, midfielders Van Viet and Dang Van Lam, center-back Mario Zebic and striker Success.
These four domestic players who have to leave are all experienced, but their contributions to Song Lam Nghe An last season weren't particularly outstanding. Therefore, the coaching staff of Nghe An won't have too much of a headache saying goodbye to these four players.
Regarding Mario Zebic and Success, terminating their contracts early is perfectly logical for Song Lam Nghe An. This is because the foreign duo had a forgettable season at Vinh Stadium.
Currently, Song Lam Nghe An has successfully contacted striker Benjamin Kuku - Nigerian national and center-back Sebastian Zaracho - Paraguayan national. It is highly likely that these will be the two new signings for Song Lam Nghe An in the V-League 2024/25 season.
In addition, the Nghe An team will have the services of defender Ho Van Cuong, after he returned from Hanoi Police Football Club.
Therefore, we can be somewhat reassured by the current squad that Song Lam Nghe An has at its disposal. However, for the various components of the Nghe An team to function smoothly, arranging the lineup and adopting a suitable playing style are essential.
In a recent interview, Song Lam Nghe An's head coach, Pham Anh Tuan, stated: "As seen in the previous season, if Song Lam Nghe An plays with a 4-4-2 formation, it will be ineffective because that formation requires two truly high-quality central defenders. In addition, the two full-backs must possess sharp attacking and defensive capabilities. However, currently, Song Lam Nghe An lacks the personnel to effectively implement this tactic. Therefore, we will have to rearrange the lineup to ensure Song Lam Nghe An plays in the most effective way."
With that statement from the coach from Nghe An, it wouldn't be difficult to predict that, in the next season, Song Lam Nghe An will continue to play with a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation.
If the home team in Vinh uses a 3-4-3 formation, it will be easier to transition from defense to attack. In that case, Văn Việt will be the goalkeeper, as usual for Sông Lam Nghệ An. The three central defenders will be Trần Nam Hải, Zaracho, and Lê Văn Thành; while Bùi Thanh Đức, Bá Quyền, Quang Vinh, and Hồ Văn Cương will occupy the midfield positions. The three forwards will be Olaha, Kuku, and Long Vũ. With his strengths and abilities, Kuku will be deployed as a central striker. It's clear that this formation, when needed, promises to deliver a powerful offensive force against the opposing defense.
If the team has to switch to a defensive formation, wing midfielders Ho Van Cuong and Bui Thanh Duc will drop back to act as full-backs. Meanwhile, striker Long Vu will return to his role as a right winger. Olaha, on the other hand, will be allowed to play wide, drawing away opposing defenders to create opportunities for center forward Kuku.
Of course, this is just a provisional lineup. In a long-distance race like the V-League, rotating players is unavoidable. Therefore, players like Tran Dinh Hoang, Le Nguyen Hoang, Vuong Van Huy, Manh Quynh, Phan Xuan Dai... will be necessary replacements for coach Pham Anh Tuan.
Hopefully, with these new additions and a suitable lineup, Song Lam Nghe An will showcase a more promising style of play, thereby reigniting the atmosphere at the Vinh Stadium.
