Elkeson will be back to his best soon, Guangzhou coach Marcelo Lippi says
Guangzhou coach is confident the striker can rediscover his goal-scoring form
When Guangzhou Evergrande swept all before them in 2013, Brazilian striker Elkeson was in the form of his life, scoring the goals that sealed the Chinese Super League title and pushed the club over the line in the AFC Champions League.
Two goals over the two legs in the AFC Champions League final against FC Seoul helped Guangzhou to their historic continental success, while 24 goals in the domestic league saw the 24-year-old finish as the country's leading scorer as Evergrande sealed a third straight title.
So far this season that form has seemed a distant memory as Elkeson has struggled in a reconfigured Guangzhou line-up following the departure of Dario Conca. But after seeing him open the scoring in Friday's 2-0 win over Jiangsu Sainty, coach Marcello Lippi believes the Brazilian will soon be back to his very best, starting tonight in their AFC Champions League meeting with South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors.
"Before the game against Jiangsu on Friday, I talked to Elkeson to ask him to remain confident," said Lippi. "If he can keep faith and hold his shape, he will always score goals.
"He scored one in the Jiangsu game, and had more chances to double it, he even assisted. I think our best Elkeson is gradually coming back."
With the arrival of Italy international Alessandro Diamanti, Guangzhou's attacking line have had to readjust, with the new arrival operating in a more advanced role than had been the case with playmaker Conca. Elkeson has looked out of sorts while Muriqui has struggled with injury in the campaign so far.