Lee Kang-in scored an attack point for the first time in a long time.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won 4-2 in the 16th round of the 2024-2025 French League 1 against AS Monaco at 5 a.m. on the 19th (Korea Standard Time). With this victory, PSG widened the gap with the second place to 10 points.
PSG coach Luis Enrique did not use Lee Kang-in as a starter. The player who was put in the role of a fake striker instead of Lee Kang-in was Desiree. Along with Doue, Bradley Barcola and Usman Dembele were deployed on the attack. Fabien Ruiz, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha made up the midfield triangle. João Neves, Willian Pacho, Marquignos and Ashraf Hakimi made up the four-hundreds. Gianluigi Donnarumma defended the goal.
PSG almost scored a lucky goal in the fourth minute of the first half. After Hakimi boldly overlapped, he headed to the net as the cross that he put straight to the gate was missed. It was an unpredictable trajectory for the goalkeeper, but he hit the post. A minute later, Barcola received Neves' penetration pass and had a one-on-one chance from a difficult angle. The shot was blocked.
In the 17th minute of the first half, an injury evil spirit entered PSG. Wilfried Singo faced a one-on-one opportunity with Donnarumma as he hit and ran on the right. Donnarumma emptied the post and collided with Singo. In the process, Singo's soccer shoes snapped Donnarumma's face. Donnarumma was shocked, although he did not appear to have any intention, and he saw a big cut on his face. In the end, Donnarumma went out and Matvei Saponov was put in.
PSG led in the 24th minute of the first half. Hakimi's right-hand overlap devastated Monaco. Hakimi delivered to Due in front of the net, and Due lightly pushed it in. Hakimi continued his excellent performance in the 42nd minute of the first half with a cannonball mid-range shot.
PSG finished the first half with a smile, but it was shaken from the start of the second half. In the 7th minute of the second half, a penalty was declared due to Marquignos' handball during Monaco's attack. Elise Ben-Sazir calmly succeeded.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Monaco succeeded in turning the tables. Magnes Aclochet hit the space. A sharp cross was put up, and Brill Embolo finished.
PSG fought back unshakable. In the 19th minute of the second half, Ruiz attempted to shoot from the penalty box. The goalkeeper blocked it, but it was easy to score as the second ball headed to Dembele. The game immediately came to square one. In the 20th minute of the second half, Enrique tried to turn the tables by putting Lee Kang-in instead of Barcola.
Lee Kang-in played the role of Super Joker properly. In the 38th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in sharply raised the kick from a corner kick. Gonzalo Hamus scored by connecting Lee Kang-in's kick with a header. Lee Kang-in's second help of the season broke out at a crucial moment.
When Lee Kang-in flew, Takumi Minamino could not laugh. Monaco's counterattack began immediately in the 40th minute of the second half. Akloshe showed a one-man show in the penalty box and handed it over to Minamino. It was a decisive opportunity without a goalkeeper, but Minamino could not shoot properly. Minamino's conversion shot, which tried to make up for 1 minute of extra time in the second half, went off the post.
Lee Kang-in aimed for a net goal. In the second minute of extra time in the second half, Dembele created a shooting chance for Lee Kang-in with a heel kick. Lee Kang-in boldly attempted a mid-range shot. It was an unstoppable trajectory by the goalkeeper, but he hit the post.
PSG succeeded in overpowering Monaco with a wedge goal in Dembele's solo counterattack, which received Ruiz's pass just before the end of the game. PSG, whose replacement card for Lee Kang-in was properly hit, won the game as it was.
It is a game that can be a rebound point for Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in had a short slump for five weeks after his one-goal, two-aided performance against Angje on November 10. Lee Kang-in, who returned to PSG without performing like Lee Kang-in in the A match in November, failed to create an offensive point.
In the end, he was slightly pushed out of the main competition, and he was able to start and replace again. Lee Kang-in was also criticized locally for failing to produce offensive points for eight consecutive games, including the national team game. Lee Kang-in often showed flashes on the field, but it was difficult to avoid criticism as judgments that were not like Lee Kang-in were often made.
Fortunately, he contributed to his team's comeback victory against Monaco and set up a rebound point. His performance was good, too. Although it was a short time, Lee Kang-in showed his appearance well, including one opportunity creation, one shot, one dribble success, and two passes in the offensive area.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
