Jeonbuk Show Attacking Intent on Opening Day as Gus Poyet gets First K League Win | OneFootball

From the remains comes the revival. After a 30th anniversary year to forget, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors looked to put the memories of their unthinkable flirtation with relegation behind them as they began the 2025 K League 1 campaign at home to last season’s 3rd-place finishers Gimcheon Sangmu.

To herald in the hope of a better season, Gus Poyet was installed as manager over the winter to bring back the attacking sensibilities Jeonbuk were once feared for. His first match saw Jeonbuk ease to a 4-0 first-leg away win in the AFC Champions League Two over Thai side Port FC, with new signing Andreas Compagno justifying his somewhat late acquisition with two headed goals in the rout.

Speaking before the match from the comfort of the home dressing room rather than the newly refurbished press-conference room, the Uruguayan cut a relaxed figure, providing jovial answers for journalists but, more importantly, answers that may have encouraged the home supporters. It felt a far cry from the tense atmosphere with former manager Dan Petrescu sat in the same chair a year prior.

Regarding his team selection, with the side having travelled back from Thailand midweek, two changes were made to inject energy into the side in Choi Woo-jin and Jeon Jin-woo, yet the rest of the eleven were set the same as the manager looked to establish a winning formula early.

Speaking about his intended playing style, Poyet recalled his former approach when he began his managerial career at Brighton and how it had evolved.

“When I started in Brighton, I was very much possession and now, and yes, the ball is very important, its attack. That doesn’t mean long balls. It means create to attack. And we will have the chance to attack. We don’t want to just play, play, play, play, lose the ball. We want to play and attack. That is something we, as a staff, develop in our game, and we try to convince the players.”

Although he was quick to point out that we may not see his preferred playing style this early:

“I know all the options and all the players perfectly. It’s a matter of continuing. You won't see my team today. You need to wait a certain time. Three months. Six months. It depends on the players and it depends on their understanding. Today is the basics. The development of the teams, their understanding. It takes time. I think at least the basics, they’re there.”

[LISTEN: Gus Poyet Pre-match Press Conference]

Despite the positivity emitted from an encouraging pre-match conference, the harshness of the actual reality soon set in. It took just fourteen minutes for the home side to concede and for Gimcheon Sanmgu to remind everyone of the threat they pose. Lee Dong-yeong lofted a ball into the Jeonbuk box that sought out his teammate Yoo Kang-hyun to poke home at full stretch.

The setback did not deter the home side initially though, with good spells of attacking possession in reply yet a goal was not forthcoming. Jeon Jin-woo looked to have justified his inclusion in the 19th minute when he got on the end of Park Jin-seob’s initial headed shot, yet his conversion was rightfully ruled offside.

While clear opportunities rarely surfaced, Jeonbuk did look the likelier of the two teams to find another goal in this encounter, and their perseverance was rewarded moments before half-time. Gimcheon’s defence inability to fully clear the danger presented itself to captain Park Jin-seop who lashed the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Jeonbuk not only maintained the momentum of how they ended the second half, they seemed to build on it attacking intently from the off, routinely trying to get in behind the army’s backline and fire low crosses to Compagno, although ultimately to no avail. Song Min-kyu would then strike the post not long before the hour mark.

Poyet sought to make changes to try and take advantage while his side had the upper hand. Tiago and Jeon Byun-kwan were introduced for Compagno and Song Min-kyu respectively.

The home side persevered and it was the latter of the substitutes, Jeon Byung-kwan who helped deliver the breakthrough ten minutes from time, sending in the cross for Jeon Jin-woo to head home and reward what had been an enterprising half for the Green Warriors.

By the time the final whistle blew, and the opening notes of PSY “It’s Art” began to play as per Jeonju Castle tradition, the crowd were in celebration. Not only had Jeonbuk recorded their first opening day win since 2022 they did so in a style befitting of theDakgong (Shut Up and Attack) brand of football that Jeonbuk were once renowned for.

Speaking after the match, Gus Poyet had much to talk about, noting the toughness of both the league and his opponents, but praising his team for meeting his expectations tactically, and surpassing them both mentally and physically, particularly after playing midweek in Thailand. Later commenting on comparisons and failings of last season, the manager noted on his arrival that, while"there was a question mark about what had happened here mentally", he "saw a team ready to fight and to win".

Asked about what supporters can expect to see next from his team, Poyet said that in the future he'd"like to control [Jeonbuk's] transitions offensively and control the opposition through these transitions." pointing to a more proactive than reactive stance.

Finally, the manager heaped praised the supporters, also apologising for his poor dancing and jumping in the traditional post-match celebrations but going on to say"it was new" and "the need to learn and embrace it because it is for the whole club".

While it was easy to get swept up in proceedings given what has come before, ultimately, it is early days into Gus Poyet’s tenure, and there are still plenty of areas to address, However, this opener had to serve up a counter to the disappointment of last year and present an indicator that the club is heading back in the right direction.

Most importantly though, it had to be entertaining, and this clash delivered on all fronts.