Moreno says playing Lee Kang-in out of position would be 'reckless'

"Deploying Lee Kang-in in a position different from the one he plays at his club would be a reckless and careless choice on my part."

Roberto Moreno, South Korea's interim head coach, said he would field Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid) — the linchpin of the team's second-line attack — in his best position for Monday's friendly against Uruguay, following a satisfying victory over Ecuador in his managerial debut with the national side.

Speaking at an official press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday, a day before the Uruguay match, Moreno said he expected intense pressure from the South Americans, much like what Korea faced against Ecuador. "Uruguay lost their last match and will be burning with desire to win and prove themselves," he said. "We must also show our best."

Korea (FIFA ranking 32nd), who routed Ecuador 3-0 on Thursday, face Uruguay (FIFA ranking 20th) at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. Monday in the second of four consecutive A-match fixtures in September and October.

Moreno began by emphasizing that all 30 players called up to the squad had been responding well to his direction.

"Sharing a coaching philosophy and ideas with players in a short time is not easy, and the coaching staff has done its best to communicate them," he said. "These are outstanding players, and they are immediately putting things into practice on the pitch based on their own experience and ability."

He added that players also needed to find solutions and make decisions on their own. "The coaching staff cannot point out every single situation, so it is important for the players to judge and play for themselves," he said. "Players must find their own solutions, and selecting players with that ability is the coaching staff's role."

When asked at the press conference — which Lee Kang-in also attended — how he planned to use the midfielder, Moreno gave a straightforward answer: "I will let him enjoy his football in the position he does best."

Lee sat out the Ecuador match to recover his fitness and is expected to start against Uruguay after appearing at Sunday's press conference.

Lee plays both as an attacking midfielder and a winger for Atletico Madrid.

"What I expect from Lee Kang-in is for him to show the same best form for the national team that he has been showing at his club," Moreno said. "Putting him in a different position from the one where he is currently enjoying himself and performing at his best would be a reckless and careless choice on my part."

"I want Lee Kang-in, just like his teammates, to show his best and enjoy his football on the pitch," he added.

On the question of his lineup against Uruguay, Moreno said his principle was that the players should be the first to know who would play. "The players are the main characters," he said. "I cannot reveal whether any specific player will feature."

He noted, however, that with four matches to play in a short period, the physical condition and injury status of all players had to be taken into account. "There are also players joining the national team for the first time, and I want to give every player a chance," he said. "You will be able to see the starting lineup on match day."