Reusing Naturalized Players! Alan and Fernandinho May Start Together Against Saudi Arabia, Partnering with Wu Lei to Form the “Front Three”

On September 8, according to reports from The Paper, Ivankovic may rely more on naturalized players in the home game against Saudi Arabia in the 18-strong tournament.

According to media reports, at noon on the 8th, the coaching staff and players analyzed the seven goals conceded in the match against Japan, discussing some shortcomings from a technical and tactical perspective. In the evening training session, Ivan also worked on the personnel combinations and tactics for the match against Saudi Arabia. During the small-sided 12v12 training, Ivan basically revealed the starting lineup for the China-Saudi Arabia match, within the usual 4-4-2 system, Ivan arranged three players in the forward line, and only one attacker needs to be removed for the starting lineup.

The goalkeeper is still Wang Dalei, with four defenders; after Liu Yang’s injury and withdrawal, Li Lei will start as the left back, forming the defense with Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Guangtai, and Yang Zexiang. In midfield, Jiang Shenglong and Li Yuyi play as the double pivot, with Xie Wenjun and Bai Helamu on the flanks, the three attackers are Wu Lei and the two naturalized players Alan and Fernandinho.

This means that at least one of the two naturalized players, Alan and Fernandinho, can enter the starting lineup, or even both may start together. In the match against Japan, these two naturalized attackers and Bai Helamu all came off the bench.