'Kim Gi-dong's style of play is why I'm performing well' - Stanislav Iljutcenko

Stanislav Iljutcenko says that his performance against Gimcheon Sangmu in a 5-1 win, which yielded two goals and two assists, is down to Kim Gi-dong's style of play being a "99%" match with his. The former Pohang man also said that the 77 minutes against the army side was his best in an FC Seoul shirt.

Naturally, with four goal contributions, Stanislav Iljutcenko was chosen to speak to the press following FC Seoul's 5-1 win over Gimcheon Sangmu in Round 5 of the 2024 Hana Bank K League 1.

Seoul took the lead 16 minutes in when Iljutcenko teed up Cho Young-wook for his first FC Seoul goal since the tail end of 2022, before a quickfire brace had Seoul purring. Two minutes into time added on at the first half Iljutcenko played in Lim Sang-hyub who made it 4-0.

Iljutcenko was replaced by Park Dong-jin and unable to seal a first K League hat-trick since September 2020, but was in good spirits and described the day as "perfect."

[READ: FC Seoul 5-1 Gimcheon Sangmu Recap]

Thoughts on today's game:

"I think we had a perfect day. Especially the first half was amazing. Everything that we wanted, we did. We scored really fast, 4-0 was very comfortable for us. Second half, I think the first 15 minutes we become a little sleepy and give Gimcheon opportunities. But overall, after this, we start to control and scored the fifth goal and deserve three points. Very important three points for us and we're very happy."

His best all-round performance for FC Seoul?  

"Yeah, short answer, yes." 

On wanting to score more but being subbed off early:

"Of course, I had a feeling, I knew we will get space and chances in the second half because Gimcheon have to come, they have to open the game a little bit. And, of course, I was prepared. I was thinking about it, maybe I can score one more but it's not that I'm disappointed or something. I worked hard, I think around about 75 minutes, and the next game is on Sunday so I'm okay with the substitute.  Also, I want to say (Park) Dong-jin worked hard, and he deserves play time too, and I'm happy that he scored."

On whether being shown videos of his Pohang days was helpful:

"Yeah, I think it's always good to see old memories where you perform good or score. I think this always gives you maybe a good feeling and maybe a little push and I think it worked today definitely."  

[READ: "This is the way how we have to go" - Paločević]

On Kim Gi-dong vs. other Korean coaches:

"It's difficult to say. I think, first of all, the style he wants to play. I think if I watch football, what style, I think 99 percent the same way how he wants to play. I agree on everything because this way, how you want to play, I totally agree with this. This will be also my style to play and I think it fits very well and this is maybe why or one of the reasons why I'm performing well."

On if there's pressure with Ki Sung-yueng saying Iljutcenko is Seoul's most important player:

"No pressure. I'm not young anymore. I have enough experience. It's nice to hear this, that they expect a lot of me, but I'm expecting a lot of myself also. But if I perform well, it doesn't mean that I'm doing everything. Factors even like today and the whole team performed especially first half if you see how we press, who wins the balls, you know people see maybe in the end of the day, he score or he make an assist, but what happened this situation before? Who wins the ball? How did we press? You know, that's the key points and because of their hard work, other players can shine. Football is a team sport, we have to play like a team and everybody deserves this victory today."

Listen in full: here