Antoine Griezmann, Cesar Azpilicueta, Alvaro Morata, Jan Oblac, Memphis Depay, Coquet…It is the first time that Spain’s prestigious Atletico Madrid has made its debut to domestic fans since its foundation in 1903.
Atletico Madrid is a strong team that has won 11 Spanish Primera Liga titles following Real Madrid (35 times) and Barcelona (27 times). Atletico Madrid have also won 10 Copa del Rey titles and 3 Europa League titles. Since Diego Simeone (Argentina), a “three-back believer,” took the helm on December 23, 2011, he has been defending the “strong magnet” for 12 years.
The K-League’s best stars will also make a total sortie. Ulsan Hyundai coach Hong Myung-bo, the best player in the K-League, leads the ‘Team K-League’. Coach Hong presented Ulsan with the first K-League 1 championship cup in 17 years last year. Yesterday’s enemies become today’s allies. Joo Min-gyu (Ulsan), Lee Seung-woo (Suwon FC), and Na Sang-ho (Seoul) work together in the offense. Lee Seung-woo, from FC Barcelona youth, will have a pride match against the Spanish team after a long time.
In midfield, 20-year-old Bae Jun-ho (Daejeon), who has emerged as the future of Korean soccer, dreams of becoming the ‘second Yang Hyeon-jun’. Yang Hyun-joon, who was selected for Team K-League last year, changed his fate in a pre-season friendly match against Tottenham. He caught the attention of football fans with his flamboyant dribbles that took down Eric Dyer and Dabinson Sanchez. Having quickly established himself as a national star, he moved to Celtic in Scotland in the transfer market this summer. Sejingya (Daegu) and Baek Seung-ho (Jeonbuk), who received the most fan votes, are also ‘hot midfielders’ that cannot be missed.
In the defense, starting with national centerback Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan), Seol Young-woo (Ulsan), who made his A-match debut in June, and Hwang Jae-won (Daegu), who was selected as the representative for the Hangzhou Asian Games, will line up. Daejeon defender Anton also stands out. In order to be selected for the Team K-League, he made a tearful ‘courtship’ through SNS, and earned the most votes among defenders and proudly put his name on the ‘Fan Eleven’. Goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo (Ulsan) and Lee Chang-geun (Daejeon) guard the goal.
The stage finally opens. Team K League will play the first leg of the ‘Coupang Play Series’ against Atletico Madrid at 8:00 pm on the 27th at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. On the 30th, Atlético Madrid will clash with Manchester City (England), who opened a new history in the treble (European Champions League, regular league, FA Cup championship).
On the 26th, the day before the festival, a press conference was held. In the Team K-League, coach Hong, Kim Young-kwon, and Sejingya scrambled. Coach Hong said, “Once again, congratulations to the players who were selected for the Team K-League. Neither team is perfect for each other. Still, I am grateful to Atlético Madrid for visiting for Korean football.”
Kim Young-kwon emphasized, “I think the players who were selected here have the ability and are the best players in the K-League. It’s an event game. It’s important not to get hurt. Many people come and we will do our best to repay you in the stadium.” Sejingya also said, “I’m happy to be selected as an All-Star again. I’ve experienced it once, and I’m grateful that I was selected through a fan vote. It will be a good experience. I’ll be with many stars and coaching staff. I’ll do my best to return the love I received from the fans.”
Coach Hong also said, “Atletico Madrid is a team with clear tactical colors. “I am not very afraid of that part. There is only one language in soccer. It is the ball. How you play around the ball is important. “I have never thought of it as the most important thing. I will try to show our language perfectly. He is a world-class coach. I consider it an honor to play together.”
Coach Simeone, who will face off against Team K League, said, “Thank you for your hospitality. Many people have been waiting for us since we arrived at the airport. It was the same at the accommodation. What we are trying to do is jet lag. Competing with other teams is important. We want to play with anticipation, hope and perseverance in the first game and share the joy with the people who came to the soccer field. I know that the team’s K-League coach is good. “I think it will be fun. There will be enough time for all players. We want to make sure that all fans can have access to it. We intend to provide equal time.”
He also added, “Korean football is developing and being recognized. I will take a good look at (the new face) tomorrow and keep an eye on it.” .
‘Captain’ Koke said, “Thank you for the hospitality. Everyone, including myself, has been grateful since I arrived. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I received a lot of love from the fans. In return, I will show a good game and a good figure. “He promised.
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