Even if we do this well, we don't have to start with LEE? Enrique "What We Did Well"→Coach Lee Kang-in is really impressive"...PSG to win 3-1 over Brest for opening 4th straight win

Sep 15, 2024

Luis Enrique did not praise Lee Kang-in, but the opposing coach was particularly impressed with Lee's performance. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won 3-1 in the fourth round of the 2024-2025 French League 1 match against Brest at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 15th (Korea time). In response to Lee Kang-in's performance, the opposing team coach Eric Roy praised PSG, saying, `Lee Kang-in was really impressive.' In particular, he gave a thumbs-up to Lee Kang-in's performance. On the other hand, Luis Enrique emphasized only team growth rather than specific comments on Lee Kang-in, and won thanks to our efforts, our consistency, and our belief. It was perfect, perfect to prepare for the European Champions League." AP Yonhap News

Luis Enrique did not praise Lee Kang-in, but the opposing coach was particularly impressed with Lee Kang-in's performance.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won 3-1 in the fourth round of the 2024-2025 French League 1 match against Brest at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 15th (Korea time).

PSG gave up the lead in the game by losing a point through a penalty kick in the 27th minute of the first half of the game. Ludovic Azorke won a penalty along with Nunu Mendes' error, and Romain Del Castillo, a kicker, made it.

However, PSG did not give up. In the 42nd minute of the first half, Usman Dembele finished Marco Asensio's cross with a header to break the Brest goal. In the second half, PSG led the game in earnest. In the 28th minute of the second half, Fabian Lewis stabbed the corner of the Brest goal with a sharp left-footed mid-range shot from the front of the box. The goalkeeper couldn't even touch it.

PSG, which succeeded in turning the tables, immediately scored an additional goal and sealed it. In the 29th minute of the second half, Randal Colomuani's shot from the box flowed after hitting the defense, and Dembele, who caught it again, shook the net by pushing it accurately into the goal while the defense and the goalkeeper were shaken. In the end, PSG won the game. With the victory, PSG reached the four-win mark without losing since the opening of the league.

Lee Kang-in showed a stable performance by playing in various fields such as passes, movements, and penetration in the midfield of the game. He also actively participated in defense and faithfully performed his role as a central midfielder. Lee Kang-in played the full time of the game, recording a 94% pass success rate, two chances creation, one shot, two dribbling successes, a 100% long pass success rate, two tackle successes, and 10 ball competitions.

Lee Kang-in's performance also praised his opponent, coach Eric Roy Brest. Roy said, `PSG is a great team. Overall, it has become stronger than last season and has shown impressive counterattacks. We lost the ball and helped the opponent play easily. However, I know that the players did their best. PSG is a better team than us, and among them, Lee Kang-in was really impressive," he praised PSG and gave a thumbs-up to Lee Kang-in's performance in particular.

On the other hand, coach Luis Enrique emphasized only team growth rather than specific comments on Lee Kang-in. Enrique said in his post-match press conference "We won thanks to our efforts, our consistency, our faith. Perfect, perfect for preparing for the European Champions League," he said, emphasizing only team development rather than individual players.

However, French media praised Lee Kang-in for his performance. France's Foot Mercato highlighted the performances of the two players separately, saying 'Ashraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in, an outstanding duo'.

Foot Mercato is 'Hakimi and Lee Kang-in complement Dembele perfectlyLee Kang-in showed all his qualities as a right midfielder from a higher position. He will remain a significant player in this match's success, although he has not achieved much, including skill, finesse, vision, impact in contention and joining Suba. 'Enough to confirm his start to the season on PSG has been great.'

Meanwhile, Lee Kang-in has not been guaranteed a starting opportunity despite his consistent performance this season. Lee Kang-in started off in a good mood, taking responsibility for PSG's first score along with the starter for the opening game of this season. However, he stayed on the bench in the next two games. In the match against Montpellier, he played as a substitute and scored. In the game against Lille, there was no offensive point after playing as a substitute, but he showed sharp dribbles and passes. Nevertheless, Lee Kang-in's playing time is on the decline in all three games since the opening. Unlike the opening game against Le Havre, who started, the previous match against Lille played only 16 minutes. Usman Dembele and João Neves took the starting position.

Ahead of the game, he was able to keep his seat due to injuries to his teammates. During this September's A-match period, Vitinha and Warren Zaire Emery left due to injuries and started again.

For Lee Kang-in, the shrinking playing time is regrettable. He showed his performance even though it was difficult to play consistently due to the absence of national team schedules such as the Asian Games and the Asian Cup last season, and this was the second season to play after adapting to the team in earnest, but the opportunity to play is disappearing due to a decrease in playing time. However, it remains to be seen how things will change over the season, as Lee Kang-in played in a short period of time and showed good performance in this selection opportunity.

With Lee Kang-in's strong performance, PSG has won four consecutive games since the opening. Along with PSG, attention is being paid to whether Lee Kang-in will be on a full-fledged upward trajectory.

digh1229@sportschosun.com