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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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'Bam's Year of the Snake has opened up the Year of the Snake with a bang.
'Genius Midfielder' Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) lifted the trophy in his first game of the new year.
Lee Kang-in started in the 2024 Trophy de Champion (French Super Cup) against AS Monaco at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar on the 6th (Korea time) and spent 67 minutes on the ground until the 22nd minute of the second half.
As PSG won 1-0 with Usman Dembele's first goal in the second half of extra time, one more title was added to Lee Kang-in's career book. After the game, Lee Kang-in performed a trophy ceremony at Stadium 974, a familiar stadium. As a member of the South Korean national soccer team, he played in the round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup against Brazil at Stadium 974 in December 2022.
Lee Kang-in, a former Valencia Youth player who was promoted to Valencia's first team in 2018, joined PSG in 2023, starting with Copadelay in the 2018-2019 season, and then won the French Ligue 1, Cup de France, and the 2023 Trophy de Champion.
PSG has already won four trophies in a year and five months. As PSG, which reigns as the "1st round" of French professional football, is leading the league with 40 points as of the 16th round, beating second-place Olain Fik Marcéu (33 points) by seven points, there is a high possibility that the trophy will be added after the season.
It is one of the best in the history of Koreans in Europe. So far, only the current Jeonbuk advisor Park Ji-sung has won more trophies than Lee Kang-in. Park won 15 times for PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United. He is tied with Lee Young-pyo, a senior. Lee has won four Eindhoven, one for Tottenham, and a total of five European titles. Considering the K-League and Saudi Arabia's career, he is number 11.
Assuming that Lee Kang-in is still only 24 years old and consistently plays for championship big clubs like PSG, it is worth trying to challenge Park Ji-sung's stronghold.
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| Source=Paris Saint-Germain SNS Capture |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| Source=Paris Saint-Germain SNS Capture |
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| Source=Paris Saint-Germain SNS Capture |
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His performance in the first game of the new year was impressive. PSG coach Luis Enrique excluded the 4-3-3 formation, excluding the traditional striker. Lee Kang-in played as a right flanker and worked with Dembele and Desiree Doue on the offense. Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinya and João Neves built the three-mids, while Achraf Hakimi, Marquignos, Pacho and Nunu Mendes built the four backs. Gianluigi Donnarumma defended the goal.
Although Lee Kang-in failed to build an offensive point, he left a strong impact for 67 minutes. Lee Kang-in, who played as a right-side striker, tried to shoot sharply twice in the first half alone, but missed the goal slightly, causing regret. The toes were sharp enough that all four long pass attempts were accurately delivered to colleagues. A total of 4 key passes and 1 dribble success were recorded.
In the middle of the second half, when the 0-0 fight continued, Enrique tried to change the offense by removing Lee Kang-in, Neves and Due one after another and putting Bradley Barcola, Fabian Lewis and Gonzalo Hamus. The replacement hit the mark. In the second half of extra time, Dembele scored the winning goal when Lewis, who was replaced in the second minute, stabbed a cross from the left side toward the gate.
Lee Kang-in also won by decision in the `mini-Korea match.' Japanese striker Takumi Minamino of Monaco played full time in the 90th minute. Two effective shots were blocked by Donnarumma.
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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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| Source=Lee Kang-in Instagram Capture |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
