Gwangju FC No. 7, Who Left Um Ji-seong, is the 'Albanian Express'… Asani Wants to Play

Gwangju Needs a 'Problem Solver', Asani's Return Imminent... "I Want to Join Quickly and Win"

The number 7 jersey, the symbol of the ace in professional soccer K League 1 Gwangju FC,

was worn by Uhm Ji-seong.

However, Uhm Ji-seong, who played as a winger, midfielder,

and striker in Gwangju under coach Lee Jung-hyo, is no longer around.

He has left for England to join Swansea City in the English Championship (2nd division).

Manager Lee Jung-hyo said he will give this number to 'Albanian Express' Asani.

Asani, who has not had a chance to play, has only played in one game this season,

but it seems that he has now expressed his intention to use him heavily.

If Um Ji-sung's transfer to Swansea City is confirmed

and the Korea Professional Football League approves the club's policy,

Asani's number change will also be confirmed. 안전한 파워볼사이트

Ahead of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 23rd round home game

against Incheon United held at Gwangju Football Stadium on the 14th, the manager told reporters,

"Asani is our new number 7.

He's gotten in shape quite a bit, so I think he'll probably play in the Korea Cup in midweek."

Even though Um Ji-sung was missing, Gwangju still dominated the game

as a team with the highest ball possession rate and showed off their unique organized passing.

However, as creative play disappeared during the attack,

they were unable to make meaningful movements in the penalty box.

In the end, Gwangju, who failed to score, lost 0-2 to Incheon, which crouched down and tried to counterattack.

The crushing defeat on this day was also proof that there was no 'problem solver'

in the opposing camp who could shake up the defense and finish the offensive operation.

Coincidentally, in the last match between Gwangju and Incheon in March of last year (5-0),

Asani scored a hat trick.

Since then, Incheon has adopted a strategy of stepping down to avoid a 'tit-for-tat' with Gwangju,

and Gwangju has been struggling with 3 draws and 3 losses.

They have not won a single game.

After the game, Asani met with Yonhap News and said,

"The coach called me and asked me what I thought about taking the number 7.

I was a little surprised and said, 'Okay. '" "I've never worn the number 7 before,

so rather than being happy about receiving the number,

I just want to join the team quickly and show my performance."

Asani emphasized several times in the interview that day that 'playing in the game is important.

Asani, who was not used by the coach because he was not satisfied

with the physical condition that the players had prepared, is thirsty for a chance to play.

Asani, who had a difficult season, such as being pushed out of competition with Gabriel,

was in full swing at Euro 2024 (European Football Championship) as a member of the Albanian national team.

In the second match of the group stage against Croatia,

he recorded an assist with an accurate cross in the 11th minute of the first half.

Based on his performance at that time, he thought he would get another chance to play in Gwangju,

but he has not played a game yet since returning after Euro 2024.

Asani explained, "I haven't been able to play for my team, but I suddenly started playing for the national team,

so my thigh muscles have gotten a little bigger.

After joining Gwangju, I took a break to recover for a while, and I only recently joined the team training."

He continued, "My physical condition is good now.

I'm in a state where I can show (my performance) sufficiently in the next game."

He added, "Anyway, I can't just come out with the will.

That decision is up to the coach."

Usually, a team like Gwangju that lacks offensive resources can secure a player

with excellent finishing ability in the transfer market.

However, Gwangju, which failed to comply with the financial regulations newly introduced

by the Korea Professional Football League and received a 'conditional approval'

in the short-term budget review early this year, will have to go through this transfer market 'empty-handed.'

It is impossible to register additional players until the club's actual income reaches the level stated in the budget.

It is inevitable that expectations will be high for the return of Asani, who played as an ace last season.

"I'm not thinking about taking on the role of a problem solver right now.

I want to join the team quickly, win, and show that I'm getting better, Asani said.

""I don't think the current ranking suits Gwangju."

We can do better."

Gwangju, which finished third in the first division last season, the highest ranking in the club's history,

is currently in eighth place out of 12 teams with nine wins, one draw, and 13 losses this season.

It's the most losses in the league through 23 rounds.