Lee Kang-in was pointed out as a key player at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), led by head coach Luis Enrique.

Spanish media ‘AS’ reported on the 28th that “Luis Enrique’s prince Lee Kang-in won the coach’s trust in a tremendous game against Rennes.”

Lee Kang-in scored his third goal of the season in the 16th round of the French League in the 2024-25 season between PSG and Stade Rennes at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, on the 28th, leading the team to a 3-1 victory.

On the day, Lee Kang-in started as the central striker in the 4-3-3 formation unlike usual. Despite his unfamiliar position, Lee Kang-in played a fake No. 9 role brilliantly and even scored.

With PSG leading the way with Bradley Barcola’s first goal in the 30th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in widened the gap with an additional header in the 13th minute of the second half.

In the PSG counterattack, Lee Kang-in, who was in the center, gave the ball to Barcola on the left, and Barcola, who received the pass, attempted a right-footed shot. Barcola’s shot hit the post, and Lee Kang-in hit the ball that hit the post and hit it on the head, scoring a diving header goal.

With PSG widening the gap due to Lee Kang-in’s additional goal, Barcola, the main player of the first goal, scored multiple goals by adding one more goal in the 23rd minute of the second half. Ren recovered one goal by taking a penalty kick in the 30th minute of the second half, but the game ended with PSG’s 3-1 victory as PSG did not allow additional runs.

After the game, Lee Kang-in, who played as the ninth striker and scored a goal, was praised in all kinds. According to the soccer statistics media “Foot Mob,” Lee Kang-in recorded a pass success rate of 91% (42/46), opportunity creation seven times, shooting three times, dribbling success rate of 100% (2/2), long pass success rate of 100% (3/3), Rikerborough five times, and foul induction three times during the full 90 minutes.

Luis Enrique, who leads PSG, also praised Lee Kang-in. According to Planet PSG, after the game, Enrique highly evaluated Lee Kang-in’s multi-player qualities, saying, “Lee Kang-in is a versatile player.”

“The key feature of our game is that we put pressure on him and don’t lose the ball under pressure,” he said. “Lee played much more freely on the field. He made good use of the space and made his teammates shine. Lee is smart.”

“Lee was extraordinary. He had a chance to score as clever as a fox,” he said. “Lee was smart, he provided us with continuity, and kept the ball when we had it. He is a special player who can do anything.”

He also expressed satisfaction with Lee Kang-in’s game, saying, “Lee Kang-in played a very perfect game, and I’m very satisfied with him.”

Spain’s “AS” even described Lee Kang-in as “Prince of Louis Enrique.” First, the media explained, “Lee Kang-in’s profile among PSG players is one of the players who brings the greatest value to Enrique.”

“Enrique, who arrived at PSG in July 2023, was delighted with Lee Kang-in’s qualities, and Lee Kang-in turned into a versatile player in just a year,” he said, adding, “He came out as a fake No. 9 for PSG in a 3-1 victory over Ren and scored his second goal.”

“No one has bet more on Lee Kang-in than Luis Enrique,” he said. “Luis Campos (PSG general manager) surprised everyone by deciding to pay 22 million euros (about 32.2 billion won) without hesitation to get Lee Kang-in.”

In addition, he said, “In the game against Ren, Lee Kang-in showed off his performance as a player who knows how to take advantage of the opportunities that occurred after the injuries of Marco Asensio and Gonzalo Hamus,” adding, “France’s ‘L’Equipe’ even emphasized Lee Kang-in’s game intelligence by giving him a rating of 7.”

According to the media, L’Equipe said of Lee Kang-in, “It was a fake nine times, but it was a really good game. The way Lee Kang-in played his role was exemplary,” adding, “Lee Kang-in was infinitely accurate in his role as a playmaker. His score was a reward for an energetic game.”

AS continued, “Lee Kang-in scored three goals in seven games this season, a number that proves his best performance,” adding, “Luis Enrique did not hesitate to place Lee Kang-in in various positions, including midfielders, wingers and strikers, and praised Lee Kang-in’s excellent performance after the game against Ren.”

He also claimed, “If Asensio does not fully recover from a muscle injury in the upcoming match against Arsenal, one of the most likely players to take on the fake No. 9 role is undoubtedly Lee Kang-in.”

PSG will play Arsenal (England) in the second round of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024-25 season at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, at 4 a.m. on October 2.

Ahead of the match against Ren, Gonzalo Hamus and Marco Asensio, who can play the No. 9 striker position at PSG, were absent due to injuries, and Enrique deployed Lee Kang-in to the front line, and Lee Kang-in met the manager’s expectations.

On the PSG bench, French striker Randal Colo Moani is on the bench, but as Lee Kang-in came out as a fake No. 9 striker and scored well, it was argued that Lee Kang-in is likely to start in the upcoming Arsenal away game. 메이저사이트

If Asensio fails to recover before the Arsenal game and Lee Kang-in starts again as a front-line striker, he will play his first start in the UEFA Champions League this season. In the first round of the UEFA Champions League against Girona (Spain), which ended with PSG’s 1-0 victory on the 19th, Lee Kang-in came out as a substitute in the second half.

Lee Kang-in has been a great help to coach Enrique as he has performed well in various positions this season. With PSG on the rise early in the season due to Lee Kang-in’s versatility, attention is expected to be paid to whether coach Enrique will start Lee Kang-in in the upcoming away match at Arsenal.