BIG NAMES IN JDT’S WAY
Fellaini and Pelle among Shandong’s stars the Southern Tigers will have to contain
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is known for his aerial ability and robust play. The powerful 1.94m Belgian, who has played in two World Cup editions, will lead his new club, Shandong Luneng of China against Super League reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (KDT) in tomorrow’s AFC Champions League Group E match at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
Fellaini, who helped Manchester United win the FA Cup in the 2015-16 season, has so far scored one goal from three appearances for Chinese Super League side Shandong.
The former Red Devil, who earns £235,000 (RM1.2 million) a week at Shandong, is exceptionally good in converting from corner-kicks. However, he is also known for being robust during matches.
Fellaini is not the only problem for JDT.
They also need to deal with former Southampton striker
Graziano Pelle who have scored all four Champions League goals for Shandong. The club have 10 China players with caps, in the tournament.
Fellaini, who joined Shandong during the January transfer window, and the well-built Pelle, who is equally tall, will both be tough to contain.
JDT need to come up with an effective strategy to counter their presence.
JDT centre-backs Mauricio Nascimento and Adam Nor Azlin will have to work overtime to stop Fellaini and Pelle, a former Italian international, while defensive midfielder Hariss Harun will likely drop back and help his teammates when required.
The Johor club, however, can rely on their short passing game especially in the middle of the park to disorientate and frustrate Fellaini, who is known to be clumsy during matches.
The 32-year-old, who helped Belgium finish third in last year’s World Cup, can be a pain during matches and he resorts to ‘dirty tactics’ to get his way. He was known for picking up unnecessary yellow and red cards during his days with Manchester United.
However, JDT should not focus solely on trying to defend against Shandong as they too have able players able to open up the best defenses in Asia.
Striker Diogo Santo, who has scored one goal in the Champions League, is intelligent, dynamic and technically gifted, and the selfless Brazilian tends to bring out the best in those around him.
Both Safawi Rasid and Argentina-born Gonzalo Cabrera are valuable sources of goals from the flanks, and it is their marauding runs and excellent crossing that make them such an asset.
If JDT can build on the confidence from their excellent run in the ongoing Super League, they will be a threat to Fellaini-led Shandong.
“Shandong are a strong team. The match will surely be difficult for us, but we will try our best.
“We need to study their playing style. We will do the best we can,” said JDT manager Luciano Figueroa.
Defending champions Kashima Antlers of Japan lead Group E with four points, two more than second-place Shandong and third-place Gyeongnam FC of South Korea while JDT are bottom of the table with one point.