Daegu look to bounce back at home against Gwangju

After three consecutive games on the road, Daegu FC finally return home with Friday Night Football against Gwangju. The Sky Blues are looking to bounce back with a win at home after three straight defeats, while the Yellows are in desperate need of a win to close the gap with other teams in the relegation battle. K League United's Daegu FC correspondent Muyeol Jung previews the clash.

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Daegu FC
Four games into the league after the long ACL break, Daegu FC haven't claimed a league win yet with three straight defeats. It might sound less distressing that two of which came against the title contenders Ulsan and Jeonbuk, however, the current records don't bode well for Lee Byungguen's side and they are hoping to turn the tide with a win.

Gwangju FC
Kim Hoyoung's Gwangju narrowly managed to bag three points at home against Incheon United thanks to a penalty converted by Brazilian midfielder Reis. However, it is too early to be relieved as the Yellow are still two points adrift of 11th placed FC Seoul who have one game in hand. From now on, for the Yellows, every single game is a real battle for survival in top flight football.

Head to head

Historically, the two sides are neck and neck with seven wins each from 19 league meetings. In their last ten meetings, Daegu are marginally ahead with five wins compared to Gwangju's four wins, but the gap is almost negligible. This season, Daegu succeeded in taking revenge on Gwangju with a 1-0 win away from home thanks to Edgar's winner after the Sky Blue were shockingly humiliated 1-4 by the Yellows at home.

Team News

The hosts have injury concerns in defence in particular with Kim Jaewoo, Park Byunghyun, and Kim Wooseok out injured. Moreover, Lee Yongrae, Hong Jungwoon and Lee Jinyong still remain doubtful for the Yellow's visit to Daegu.

Meanwhile, the visitors are also suffering injury issues on several players and they will have to make a trip to Daegu with them left behind. Johnathan, Yoon Bosang, Um Wonsang, Kim Jongwoo are unlikely to feature. Reis and Kim Wonsik are suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

What to Watch

Plunging Daegu in August as usual?
Notorious summer heatwave in Korea is annoyingly tormenting many residents, but Daegu fans would be suffering more than anybody else at the moment as their beloved citizen club seem to be slowing down and struggling in every summer when it matters because of significant injuries and depth of squad.

Gaffer Lee Byunggeun tried to find ways to get things working by either playing Jung Seungwon centrally when Jang Sungwon brought in, or bringing Bruno Lamas in to the left side. Neither tactical changes have brought to fruition yet, but these seem like realistic options the gaffer can make at the moment when versatile Kim Jinhyuk has to play at the back to fill the void left at the expense of losing his attacking ability.

Bruno Lamas has featured in two league games as substitute for Daegu.

This Friday, the Sky Blues will have to turn the tide no matter what. Who can salvage Daegu? My choice for a player to watch is summer signing Bruno Lamas. He was brought in a bit earlier than anticipated because of the current situation, but his performances generally looked great for me to have some anticipation. Because of fitness issues, he is unlikely to start though, it is going to be a big focal point to see what he can offer for the Sky Blues.

Can Kim Hoyoung's magic continue to work?
Gwangju's narrow win over Incheon last weekend was the game that the lads' will and commitment to win at whatever prices were strongly felt on the pitch. The lads looked mentally and physically determined and ready to go on to fight on the pitch.

Gwangju manager Kim Hoyoung is now tasked with a great escape.

Despite them sitting at the bottom of the table and having lost key players Johnathan, Um Wonsang, and Yoon Bosang to injury, a great level of discipline and team work on the pitch the Yellows showed were good enough for fans to have some hope. Gaffer Kim Hoyoung also confidently expressed his strong determination that the Yellow can survive the relegation battle.

On paper, it is undeniably true that Gwangju are underdogs against Daegu and they will likely take a defensive approach with emphasis on counterattack. However, given their determination and attitude on the pitch, their great escape might be still on against shattering Daegu.