UPDATE: Added in BL2 which I didn't know were having matches today.
Wednesday
Lee Kang In -- Valencia go to Sevilla at 1PM for cup match on ESPN+ -- Disappointed to not come on despite the match being well over. Will it mean a bigger role in the cup or have Valencia given up on efforts to convince him to stay? I'm pessimistic on either a move or more minutes but a cup start or at least a sub role seems an easy ask for Valencia who have more important battles.
Paik Seung Ho -- Darmstadt host Sandhausen at 12:30 PM - No TV - I was pretty excited for the Korean derby to actually be on stream, but Paik was a let down as Darmstadt was on their back heels for most of the time he was on the pitch. When he did get the ball, he looked ok with a few decent moments but Darmstadt struggled to maintain possession and as a result, Paik didn't get too many touches. Wasn't a surprise when he was taken off after an hour even if he wasn't really at fault. Probable to be dropped for a likely sub role but could start.
Choi Kyoung Rok -- Karlsruher host Hannover at 2:30 PM - No TV - Played 84 minutes and reports were pretty positive even if he was lacking the final pass. Should start.
Lee Jae Sung -- Kiel go to Paderborn at 2:30 PM - No TV - LJS conversely showed his quality playing as a LCM this match. He showed great strength to win 50/50s and keep possession, all with technical skills that are rare at this level. Was lacking a bit on the playmaking front but was everywhere else as both the heart and brains of this midfield. I'm really curious how far this side will go and where he ends up next summer. Should start.
Recap
Wednesday
Lee Kang In -- Valencia go to Sevilla at 1PM for cup match on ESPN+ -- Disappointed to not come on despite the match being well over. Will it mean a bigger role in the cup or have Valencia given up on efforts to convince him to stay? I'm pessimistic on either a move or more minutes but a cup start or at least a sub role seems an easy ask for Valencia who have more important battles.
Paik Seung Ho -- Darmstadt host Sandhausen at 12:30 PM - No TV - I was pretty excited for the Korean derby to actually be on stream, but Paik was a let down as Darmstadt was on their back heels for most of the time he was on the pitch. When he did get the ball, he looked ok with a few decent moments but Darmstadt struggled to maintain possession and as a result, Paik didn't get too many touches. Wasn't a surprise when he was taken off after an hour even if he wasn't really at fault. Probable to be dropped for a likely sub role but could start.
Choi Kyoung Rok -- Karlsruher host Hannover at 2:30 PM - No TV - Played 84 minutes and reports were pretty positive even if he was lacking the final pass. Should start.
Lee Jae Sung -- Kiel go to Paderborn at 2:30 PM - No TV - LJS conversely showed his quality playing as a LCM this match. He showed great strength to win 50/50s and keep possession, all with technical skills that are rare at this level. Was lacking a bit on the playmaking front but was everywhere else as both the heart and brains of this midfield. I'm really curious how far this side will go and where he ends up next summer. Should start.
Thursday
Son Heung Min -- Tottenham host Liverpool at 3PM on NBCSN. Got mostly rested but Tottenham had cup struggles putting the ball in the net so Son came on with 20+ minutes to play. His first chance was a decent one, dribbling and shooting wide, but he really should have done better with his next when he received a cutback pass at the penalty spot but shot well over. Fortunately, Tottenham found their shooting boots and Son helped out with the third, receiving the pass to start the counter, working his way to the top of the box and finding Ndombele for the finish. A bit worrisome trend on scoring accuracy, but a good enough job in a short cameo and should start on Thursday.
Son Heung Min -- Tottenham host Liverpool at 3PM on NBCSN. Got mostly rested but Tottenham had cup struggles putting the ball in the net so Son came on with 20+ minutes to play. His first chance was a decent one, dribbling and shooting wide, but he really should have done better with his next when he received a cutback pass at the penalty spot but shot well over. Fortunately, Tottenham found their shooting boots and Son helped out with the third, receiving the pass to start the counter, working his way to the top of the box and finding Ndombele for the finish. A bit worrisome trend on scoring accuracy, but a good enough job in a short cameo and should start on Thursday.
Recap
Yun Il Lok -- It must have been real bad a few weeks ago because Yun can't get on the pitch.
Jeong Woo Yeong -- I thought he had lost his chance midweek but with Sallai out, Jeong got the start and he fully took advantage. He first had a hand in the first goal by battling for a cross into the box enough for the loose ball to get to Demirovic who scored. Then Jeong put in the derby winner by taking advantage of defender mishandling the ball, fighting off any recovery attempt and calmly slotting past the GK. Jeong also did well as he worked a bit deeper at times. It wasn't all perfect with Jeong playing way too many fancy and/or risky passes on top of the decision-making of a younger player. But a huge step to earning a role on this team.
Kwon Chang Hoon -- Out injured.
Hwang Hee Chan -- He did come on in the final minutes and didn't do anything poorly, but the match was a bit rough as Mainz were scrapping hard against relegation and Leipzig struggled for offensive cohesion. I'm not the biggest HHC fan but it is frustrating to see players not doing well continue to get chances while he has to only hope for scraps in situations that don't suit his skillset well.
Ji Dong Won -- Out of the squad again and could be a tough second half of the season for Ji.
Hwang Ui Jo -- Hwang is really starting to feel it now, scoring a brace in another start. His first wasn't a great goal but showed that he's getting adapted to CF in this system more as he fought to stay in the box and was able to blast in a loose ball (albeit possibly from an offside position). His second was a much nicer goal, shaking off the defender's tackle and scoring. While not a dominating performance, HUJ continues to earn his manager's trust with his goals, doing the small things like pressing and making the counterattacking runs, and pitching in on the wing where he played at 60ish minutes til he was subbed off with 10 minutes to go.
Jeong Woo Yeong -- I thought he had lost his chance midweek but with Sallai out, Jeong got the start and he fully took advantage. He first had a hand in the first goal by battling for a cross into the box enough for the loose ball to get to Demirovic who scored. Then Jeong put in the derby winner by taking advantage of defender mishandling the ball, fighting off any recovery attempt and calmly slotting past the GK. Jeong also did well as he worked a bit deeper at times. It wasn't all perfect with Jeong playing way too many fancy and/or risky passes on top of the decision-making of a younger player. But a huge step to earning a role on this team.
Kwon Chang Hoon -- Out injured.
Hwang Hee Chan -- He did come on in the final minutes and didn't do anything poorly, but the match was a bit rough as Mainz were scrapping hard against relegation and Leipzig struggled for offensive cohesion. I'm not the biggest HHC fan but it is frustrating to see players not doing well continue to get chances while he has to only hope for scraps in situations that don't suit his skillset well.
Ji Dong Won -- Out of the squad again and could be a tough second half of the season for Ji.
Hwang Ui Jo -- Hwang is really starting to feel it now, scoring a brace in another start. His first wasn't a great goal but showed that he's getting adapted to CF in this system more as he fought to stay in the box and was able to blast in a loose ball (albeit possibly from an offside position). His second was a much nicer goal, shaking off the defender's tackle and scoring. While not a dominating performance, HUJ continues to earn his manager's trust with his goals, doing the small things like pressing and making the counterattacking runs, and pitching in on the wing where he played at 60ish minutes til he was subbed off with 10 minutes to go.
