Roberto Moreno Explains Criteria for National Team Squad, Citing "4-4-2" as Baseline

The temporary head coach of the South Korean national football team, Robert Moreno, announced the national team squad for upcoming A-matches today, emphasizing two main criteria for selection.

Coach Moreno stated, "I like balanced players who excel in both offense and defense," adding, "When I look them in the eye, I must feel their passion to represent the national team."

He also emphasized current performance.

Moreno noted, "Current skills, not the past, will bring the opportunity to be selected for the national team," signaling his intention to evaluate players solely based on their ability rather than their reputation.

Regarding his primary tactic, he stated that he will utilize a "4-4-2" formation.

Explaining the reasoning, Moreno said, "As a result of analyzing the K League over the past two years, it was the tactic used by the most teams," and added, "It is also widely used globally as a baseline."

Moreno is known to have a high level of understanding of the 4-4-2 tactic, having even written a book focusing solely on it in the past.

Lee Seung-woo's much-discussed selection ultimately fell through once again, and Coach Moreno remained reticent regarding this choice.

He explained, "If we talk about players who weren't selected, there is no end to it," and added, "Players from the K League, including Jung Seung-won, were chosen after analyzing their last 10 games, looking at their performance and their roles within the team."

Coach Moreno also mentioned that he analyzed data on 1,700 South Korean players, citing the ability to possess the ball and maintain possession as a characteristic of South Korean players.

On the other hand, he added that in defense, rather than aggressively pressing from the front, they tend to line up in their defensive block.

Serving as "interim coach" for about three months until November 27, Coach Moreno is scheduled to lead the Taeguk Warriors in six matches, including four A-matches held in September and October, and two A-matches in November.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Seo Byung-wook | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.