"There are many players who can contribute when the opportunity comes. This has become Jeonbuk's strength this season."
Jeonbuk Hyundai and FC Seoul recorded a 1-1 draw in their face-off in the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 20 held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 21st.
With this draw, Jeonbuk firmly maintained the top spot with 12 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, earning 42 points. Notably, Jeonbuk continued its unbeaten streak of 16 matches, showcasing a stable strength.
After a long wait, Lee Seung-woo returned to the starting lineup. Jeonbuk Hyundai made changes on the right side as Jeon Jin-woo was absent due to accumulated yellow cards, and head coach Gustavo Poletto entrusted Lee Seung-woo with the starting opportunity. Lee Seung-woo's league starting appearance was his first in 16 matches since the 4th Round against Gangwon.
In the match held amidst the rain, Lee Seung-woo showcased vigorous activity, traversing the field for 78 minutes. He recorded the most attempts at shots on the team with three attempts, including one on target. Although he did not shake the net, he created impressive moments in attacking development, including providing a crucial chance to Kim Tae-hyun following a dribbling breakthrough past two defenders in the mid-second half.
After the match, Lee Seung-woo said, "It was really tiring to play after a long time. Especially with the rain, the physical burden was even greater," adding, "However, it became an important time for regaining my game sense."
He also expressed his regret about not securing a victory. He explained, "I wanted to win at home, but it's disappointing to miss out on the victory. However, I think it is positive that we continue our unbeaten streak," and noted, "I wanted to contribute to the team, and in terms of performance, I did my best without regrets."
While yearning for playing opportunities, Lee Seung-woo was mature in accepting the competition within the team.
Lee Seung-woo added, "I want to run more than anyone, but I respect the coach's choice," and he noted, "I have always been prepared, and I feel like that opportunity came today. I'm glad that we didn't lose."
Coach Poletto had previously evaluated in an interview before the match that all bench members, including Lee Seung-woo, were at a level where they could start. In response, Lee Seung-woo described the team's atmosphere positively, saying, "Our team has a lot of good players, so training is always competitive. But we are learning a lot in that environment, focusing on our respective roles without blaming each other."
He continued, "There are many players who can contribute when an opportunity is given at any time. I think this has become Jeonbuk's strength this season. The players who come on as substitutes in the second half are also doing their part well."
Having played for several teams in Europe and the K League, including Barcelona, Lee Seung-woo expressed satisfaction with the current atmosphere in Jeonbuk. He said, "Right now, Jeonbuk is performing well, so naturally the atmosphere is good. When I first came last year, the team's performance was not good, and the atmosphere was heavy, but now it is clearly different. Compared to my time in Suwon, the current team atmosphere is very comfortable and positive."
He particularly pointed to psychological stability as a factor in the team's change. "Last season, I felt pressured in every match and often missed games that we could win. In contrast, now players are performing their roles better in a stable atmosphere," he said, adding, "The coach is also showing trust in the players, and that is leading to good performance."
Meanwhile, Lee Seung-woo resolved, "We need to keep the current momentum going. I want to focus in every match and contribute to reaching Jeonbuk's goals."
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