Lee Kang-in, who started in two games, played 83 minutes and performed well, but Lee Kang-in’s team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) failed to win five consecutive games.
However, it was a positive part for Lee Kang-in, given that Lee Kang-in, who recently had more games as a substitute, started and proved that he was enough to play as a main player.
French giants PSG, led by head coach Luis Enrique, lost the first goal to Japanese striker Keito Nakamura in the ninth minute of the first half in the fifth round of the French Ligue 1 match against Stade Langs at Stade August Delon in Rennes, France on the 22nd (Korea time).
PSG, which had one point, maintained its lead in Ligue 1 with 13 points, but allowed its pursuit as it failed to significantly widen the gap between second-ranked Ol’Nepic Marseille and third-ranked AS Monaco. If Marseille and Monaco (10 points or more) win in the fifth round match, they will have the same points as PSG.
PSG, which has been reigning as an absolute powerhouse of Ligue 1 for several seasons since the inflow of Qatar’s capital, is trying to win Ligue 1 this season as well, but it was caught in an unexpected place at the beginning of the season. If there is no room in the league, it will naturally affect Cup competitions, including the UEFA Champions League.
For PSG, the upcoming match against Stade Rennes on the 28th becomes important. If they fail to win three points in the match against Rennes, the second round of the Champions League phase against Arsenal could be more difficult than expected.
Reims, who invited PSG home, played 4-3-3. Yehvan Diouf defended the goal, while Sergio Akime, Emmanuel Agbadu, Cedric Kipre and Aurelio Buta formed the defense. Marshall Munetsushi, Yaya Fofana and Valentin Atangana formed the midfield, while Keito Nakamura, Diakite Umar and Junya Ito led the attack.
PSG also used a 4-3-3 model. Mattebi Saponov wore goalie gloves instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is feared to be injured. Lucas Veraldu, Willian Pacho, Marquignos, and Warren Zaire-Emery built the back four. João Neves, Vitinha, and Lee Kang-in stood in the midfield. Bradley Barcola, Desiree Doue, and Randal Kolo Moani aimed for Reims’ goal.
PSG, which operated its rotation in the aftermath of the Champions League against Girona FC during the week, allowed Reims to attack at the beginning of the game and lost a point early on. Nakamura, a Japanese flanker who plays for Reims, shook PSG’s net.
Nakamura got a cross from his Japanese teammate Ito in the 9th minute of the first half and calmly fired his right foot into the net. Saponov, who replaced Donnarumma, reached out, but it was not enough.
After receiving the first goal, PSG refocused on Lee Kang-in in the midfield and launched a counterattack. Playing as one of the 4-3-3 central midfielders, Lee created good chances for his teammates by banking on a change of direction pass with a sophisticated left-footed kick. His long pass to Barcola, who was on the opposite side from the right, was impressive.
Lee Kang-in also aimed directly at the opponent’s goal. In the 21st minute of the first half, Colo Moani sent a cutback pass to Lee Kang-in after tearing down the left side of Reims, and Lee Kang-in connected it with a powerful left-footed half-volley shot, but was blocked by the goalkeeper. Lee Kang-in, who scored two goals in the league this season, had a great chance to score his third goal in the league.
PSG’s offensive continued. In the 24th minute of the first half, Dué, who was a forward-thinking striker, aimed at the goal with a sharp shot, but missed. Enrique then made a tactical change of sending Dué to the side and placing Kolo Muani, who played as a forward-thinking striker, in the center.
Zaire-Emery, who was also listed as a right fullback, also came up to a high position and participated in the attack. It seemed to be Enrique’s choice, which considered his role rather than his position in anticipation of a PSG-led match, which allowed PSG to pressure Reims from the opposing side.
The problem was that there were no goals scored. PSG spent most of the first half on the opposing side to score an equalizer, but ended the first half without scoring a goal.
PSG also took the lead in the second half. Lee Kang-in, who was hitting the opponent’s half-space, also attempted to attack with his teammates by spreading wide to the side. In the ninth minute of the second half, he helped Barcola’s header with a sharp cross, but failed to accumulate assist as Barcola’s header shot went up.
As frustrating trend continued, PSG decided to deploy Dembele who is good at dribbling. Enrique called in Due who moved to the side striker position at 20 minutes in the second half and let Dembele go.
This substitution was effective. Dembele scored the equalizer just three minutes into the game, proving Enrique’s decision was right. When Neves passed the ball backward, he hit the ball without hesitation, which sucked into the goal. Video VAR was conducted for a while, but the score was recognized.
Reims, who was leading for 68 minutes, made changes by using three replacement cards at once after conceding an equalizer. In the 32nd minute of the second half, the main players of Nakamura, Diakite and Atangana, who scored the first goal, were out, and Teddy Teuma, Aminé Salama and Reda Kadara came in.
Lee Kang-in, who played horizontally and horizontally regardless of the side and center, was replaced by Seni Mallolu in the 37th minute of the second half to finish the game. PSG continued its momentum and tried to score a comeback goal, but Dembele’s header was missed, leaving a regret in its decision-making power.
Reims also did his best to create chances until the end of the second half. However, Teuma’s shot went wide in the fifth minute of extra time in the second half, and both teams ended the game 1-1 without scoring an extra point. 토토사이트
Luis Enrique, who is in charge of PSG, said in a press conference before the match against Reims, “I’m an unfair coach. There are 15 to 16 players who are good, and you have to choose only 11 players. I want to be an unfair coach throughout the season,” hinting that he will continue to use Lee Kang-in as a main and backup player.
In front of such a coach, Lee Kang-in announced that he was a key player, not an “unfair player” with his performance that shook the game.