Jeonbuk Hyundai Manager
The new season begins with the ACL round of 16 against Pohang “Go as high as possible”
Coach Petrescu of Jeonbuk Hyundai Football Team is expressing his opinion about the AFC Champions League round of 16 match against Pohang at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 13th.
Coach Dan Petrescu of Jeonbuk Hyundai in the K-League 1 professional soccer team expressed his ambition to show 'results', saying that the team has steadily strengthened its strength.
Coach Petrescu said at a press conference held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeollabuk-do on the 13th, a day before the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL), "I will climb as high as possible."
Jeonbuk will play the first leg of the round of 16 against Pohang Steelers at Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 14th, and will play the second leg away on the 20th.
This is the first official match of 2024 not only between the two teams but also Korean professional soccer.Jeonbuk, which spent its first off-season under coach Petrescu, will check its training performance through this game ahead of the 2024 K-League 1 season, which opens in March.
Coach Petrescu of Jeonbuk, who finished last season in 4th place despite being considered a contender for the title, emphasized, "A big club like Jeonbuk always wants to win. 4th place is a ranking that can never be satisfied," and added, "My ambition is to win." .
Jeonbuk recruited 'K League experienced players' Thiago and Hernández in this winter transfer market, and even brought in national team fullback Kim Tae-hwan from last season's champion and rival Ulsan HD.
The midfield team was also strengthened by recruiting former national team winger Kwon Chang-hoon, who was used under former manager Paulo Bento, and Lee Young-jae, who played as a key midfielder for Suwon FC.
Coach Petrescu, who said, “The club has really helped me. I am satisfied with the composition of the players,” emphasized that he has put his own color on the team by leading the off-season for the first time since taking office.
Coach Petrescu said, "It wasn't a completely ideal off-season camp as there were injuries, selection to the national team, etc.," but added, "What I want to show is aggressive soccer."
He added, "What is always important is the result. Even if you play defensively, you just have to win. That's how important the result is."
Jeonbuk Hyundai coach and captain press conference
Pohang, the opponent for the first official match of the 2024 season, is a team that caused pain to Jeonbuk last season.
Jeonbuk faced Pohang five times last season, but never won.
Among these, the most bitter loss was the Korean Football Association (FA) Cup final.
Pohang, who defeated Jeonbuk 4-2, lifted the FA Cup trophy for the first time in 10 years and tied for first place in total number of wins.Jeonbuk, Pohang, and Suwon Samsung won the championship five times each.
Coach Petrescu said, "Pohang is a difficult opponent. They finished second in the league last season and won the FA Cup, and their record in the ACL group stage is also good with 5 wins and 1 draw." “It is difficult, but we will achieve good results as we prepare well,” he said.
He added, “I hope that tomorrow’s players will show that they are worthy of wearing the uniform of the best team called Jeonbuk Hyundai.” 19가이드03