Guangzhou Evergrande coach under pressure after shaky start to the season

Lee Jang-soo did not expect that his squad's rotation system would kick in so early despite his team's tough schedule, which featured Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League matches.

The coach of the defending CSL champion side, Guangzhou Evergrande, had to make a major change to his starting lineup on Sunday night against visiting Henan Jianye due to the fact a number of regular players, including Dario Conca, Gao Lin and Sun Xiang, were relegated to the bench.

"We planned a rotation scheme before the opening of the domestic league because of the tight schedule. But after two consecutive losses, we had to introduce the system earlier so that we could secure a win and regain the support of the home fans," Lee said.

Brazilian striker Luiz Muriqui opened the scoring after half an hour and doubled the team's advantage 13 minutes later at the Tianhe Stadium on Sunday night.

Wu Pingfeng, who replaced striker Gao Lin at right wing, added a third late on to help condemn Henan to its third consecutive defeat this season.

"From now on until the end of May we will have two matches a week. But, unexpectedly, we have to rotate the boys so early," Lee said.

Following some players' poor performances, Lee came out and apologized to the fans and berated his players for showboating rather than working as a team.

"We tried to play as good as possible in each game. But now we know that we must strengthen our bench depth if we want to advance in both competitions," Lee said.

Key players, like striker Cleo - who missed a penalty in the 24th minute, have been in poor form after Guangzhou's 5-1 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea in the AFC Champions League on March 7.

"We hoped that victory could help us get back on track," he said.

After losses in the domestic league and the AFC Champions League in a week, Lee's job in Guangzhou is reportedly under pressure with a number of big international names including Sven-Goran Eriksson, Marcello Lippi and Guus Hiddink being touted to take over.

Eriksson was a spectator at Tianhe Stadium for Sunday's match. "He was just a spectator. Soccer can be like this - anyone could be a fan. In this regard, I am not surprised if Messi also shows up at our stadium," Lee said.

Sources close to Guangzhou Evergrande say the club has not had any contact with the Swede.

"He might have bought the tickets himself," an unnamed official of the side told the Guangzhou-based New Express.

Also, the Guangzhou club did not confirm an agreement with Dortmund striker Lucas Barrios.

The Paraguay international was a key member of the team's Bundesliga title success last season, but he reportedly agreed to a lucrative 4-year contract with the CSL's defending champion at the end of this season, after losing his starting role.

However, Jin Chang, a soccer agent with Britain-based sport agent World In Motion, said on his micro blog that Barrios had agreed to a contract with the Guangzhou-based club.

"It is impossible for the Guangzhou side to announce such a big signing given that this season's Bundesliga is still underway. It is also impossible for the player to go to China for a physical checkup at this time," he said.

The player had been linked with a move to the Guangzhou club since February, when Chinese media reported offers for the striker.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn