Otto Addo admits pressing difficulties as Ghana adjust to new setup

Ghana coach Otto Addo says the Black Stars struggled to execute their pressing scheme against South Korea because several new players are still adapting to his system.

Ghana lost 2-0 to Japan, and on Tuesday, an improved performance saw them lose 1-0. Black Stars used a five-back shape in both games on the Asian tour, shifting between a 5-4-1 and a 5-2-3-1.

Addo explained that South Korea often overloaded one side, forcing Ghana’s wide players and midfielders into quick decisions on who should press the full-back.

The lack of coordination, he said, made the team slow in their reactions and allowed the hosts to dictate the first half.

"We had a lot of new players, so it was not easy for them to press, especially when South Korea overloaded one side and we were too far away. It’s the decisions regarding who goes to their full-back, is it the winger, or is it our full-back, or is it the number six? Sometimes the timing was not there," Addo said.

He noted that the team improved after the break, but the early goal conceded affected their momentum.

"That’s why, especially in the first half, South Korea had more ball possession and created more chances. When we adapted to it in the second half, we did better and pressed better. But the first goal killed our pressing and our good game in the second half," he added.

Addo remains confident the team will settle into the structure with more time together.

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