PSG midfielder changes how to use Enrique Lee Kang-in
"Lee Kang-in should play as a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and our game plan."
In the Korean national team, he plays on the side, but in Paris Saint-Germain, midfielder is the most likely. Coach Enrique mentioned how to use Lee Kang-in in an official meeting.
Paris Saint-Germain will play the ninth round of the French Ligue 1 in the 2023-24 season against Strasbourg at its home stadium, Parc des Princes, located in Paris, France, on the 22nd (Korea Standard Time). Paris Saint-Germain, who has built an absolute first round in France with overwhelming power, has changed its squad line since Enrique's appointment and is currently in third place in the league.
In the UEFA Champions League, it is not easy to be tied to death with Dortmund and Newcastle United. Although the team was formed around Kylian Mbappe, it is in the stage of rebuilding, so it is not the best power in Europe as in the past. Only when they secure three points against Strasbourg can they pave the way for a turnaround in the atmosphere.
Ahead of the match against Strasbourg, Enrique told how to use Lee Kang-in. Coach Enrique attended an official press conference and said, "Lee Kang-in has proven his quality since joining Paris Saint-Germain. The same is true of the national team," he said.
Lee Kang-in grew up in the Valencia youth team and developed his talent. At the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, he showed off his outstanding skills and won Asia's first Golden Ball as a second-top and offensive midfielder. Later, he returned to Valencia and competed for the starting line-up, but sat on the bench due to external issues and left for Mallorca.
In his first season, he ended his adjustment in Mallorca and flew in his second season. He came into the center from the side and led the Mallorca team's attack, and became the first Korean to score double-digit attack points in the Primera Liga. It was connected to Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer market, but decided to challenge at Paris Saint-Germain.
After joining Paris Saint-Germain, he said, "It's a team I've known since I was young. Paris Saint-Germain is one of the best teams in the world. It is a team of the world's best players. I can't wait to have an adventure with Paris Saint-Germain. I want to help them win every game and win as many championships as possible," he said.
"He is a midfielder who can play right and left wingers. Various positions are possible. He is a player who can handle the ball comfortably. I have a strong desire to win. I want to contribute to the team and contribute to the team's victory. It is an honor to be the first Korea in the history of Paris Saint-Germain. I play for Korea, Paris Saint-Germain. I will always show good performance on the field and do my best," he said.
Lee Kang-in, who joined Paris Saint-Germain, trained with his teammates in a bright atmosphere. Neymar, who participated in the team's training, also smiled with Lee Kang-in and continued the training happily. The rest of the players, including Mbappe, who received additional rest after the A match, joined the team for full-fledged team training.
He played in a pre-season friendly against Le Havre (France) at PSG on campus in Paris, France. He played as a right striker and led the team's attack and showed sharp performance. He went on the ground wearing the number 19. Luca Hernandez, Marco Asensio, and Manuel Ugarte also stepped up.
Paris Saint-Germain continued its offensive work through Lee Kang-in, and showed a brilliant pass between the sides and the center. On the side, he worked well with fullback resources and exchanged elegant pass plays. Passes and de-pressure into space were also at the level seen in Mallorca.
However, he complained of hamstring pain at the end of the first half. Lee Kang-in suddenly grabbed his thigh in the 43rd minute of the first half. He looked uncomfortable as if he was overloaded while sprinting during the Paris Saint-Germain counterattack, and entered the bench. French media outlet Foot Mercato also said, "Lee Kang-in was injured. Paris Saint-Germain freshman Lee Kang-in played very well against Le Havre, but eventually finished early. He left the field just before halftime with a hamstring injury. Now we need to check the condition of the injury," he said.
Lee Kang-in participated in the Japanese tour, but could not play with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates. So did Neymar, who was on the team at the time. Paris Saint-Germain didn't have the resources to supply creative passes in the second line. It was only after third-line midfielder Marco Verratti came in that he managed to breathe.
After that, he made all-out efforts to recover from his injury and matched his physical condition in the opening game. He was not 100% injured in the pre-season, but he was a light physical player in the opening game. In the 12th minute of the first half, a sharp killer pass surprised Paris Saint-Germain home fans' sharp killer pass. He also attempted a bold shot, but failed to score an offensive point due to the Lorient defensive network.
He played for 82 minutes as a starter in the opening game and played on the ground. Pass success rate was 86%, and ball touch was 58. European soccer statistics companies such as "Foot Mob" selected Lee Kang-in as a man of the match (MOM) while giving him high scores. It was the only resource that shone in the somewhat frustrating Paris Saint-Germain attack.
French Ligue 1 also gave Lee Kang-in a thumbs up. Lee Kang-in brilliantly enjoyed the space where Lionel Messi played, selecting him as the best player in the game. Paris Saint-Germain players must have been satisfied with Lee Kang-in's performance. Hamus played with Asensio and others, receiving attack support from Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in showed a wide range of influence on the Paris Saint-Germain attack, revitalizing it. I deserve praise," he said.
He also started in the second round. However, Lee Kang-in was not in a position to fully demonstrate his strengths. He was placed on the left side but played a role close to wing-back. He was out of sync with Fabien Lewis. Coach Enrique chose a tactical change early in the second half when he deployed Kylian Mbappe and Usmang Dembele.
In the third round, there was a series of arguments for starting or replacing players, but the bad news of injury overlapped. Paris Saint-Germain announced that it will make all-out efforts to recover at least until the A-match period in September. Local media Le Parisien predicted the recovery period by mid-September. Lee Kang-in was expected to concentrate on recovering for his original physical condition for about four weeks.
Later, Paris Saint-Germain said on the club's official website last month, "Lee Kang-in suffered an injury to his left femoral quadriceps. We will continue treatment at least until the end of the next A match period," he announced.
Coach Hwang Sun-hong spoke of Lee Kang-in's condition during the Changwon call-up training. Asked by Lee Kang-in, head coach Hwang said, "When I officially received the mail, I heard that the recovery speed was fast. "I exchanged letters with Paris Saint-Germain, and they said they would give me the final answer on the 13th."
"I am in personal contact with and communicating with Lee Kang-in. It is understood that he has been training with Ball since this week. After the A match in September, we are preparing for the weekend game. Paris Saint-Germain are thinking of playing one league game and joining the Asian Games. We want to join as soon as possible. It's a problem that needs to be solved," he explained.
However, abnormal atmosphere was detected during Paju training ahead of his departure to Hangzhou. When asked about Lee Kang-in's transfer equally, he said, "I'm a little frustrated, too. Personally, I am communicating with Kangin, and Kangin wants to join as soon as possible, but the timing of his joining with Paris Saint-Germain seems to be not well coordinated. The association continues to communicate closely with Paris Saint-Germain. "I hope the timing of joining the team will be decided as soon as possible so that we can focus on the team," he replied.
The timing of joining was not completely negotiated. Coach Hwang Sun-hong said, "I wish I could come in at least a few games before the Asian Games group stage, but it's not going well. Paris Saint-Germain seems to put forward a number of terms. The Asian Cup qualifying tournament in January next year could be one of the conditions. I personally hope to join at that time rather than at a late time," he said. At the time of the interview in Paju, it was unclear whether he would join the round of 16 tournaments beyond participation in the group stage.
A total of 23 teams participated in the Hangzhou Asian Games. Four teams were organized into five groups, and only Group D was grouped into three groups. Twelve teams in the first and second places in each group, and the top four teams in the third place in each group, passed the group stage and reached the round of 16 tournaments to win.
He played in a pre-season friendly against Le Havre (France) at PSG on campus in Paris, France. He played as a right striker and led the team's attack and showed sharp performance. He went on the ground wearing the number 19. Luca Hernandez, Marco Asensio, and Manuel Ugarte also stepped up.
Paris Saint-Germain continued its offensive work through Lee Kang-in, and showed a brilliant pass between the sides and the center. On the side, he worked well with fullback resources and exchanged elegant pass plays. Passes and de-pressure into space were also at the level seen in Mallorca.
However, he complained of hamstring pain at the end of the first half. Lee Kang-in suddenly grabbed his thigh in the 43rd minute of the first half. He looked uncomfortable as if he was overloaded while sprinting during the Paris Saint-Germain counterattack, and entered the bench. French media outlet Foot Mercato also said, "Lee Kang-in was injured. Paris Saint-Germain freshman Lee Kang-in played very well against Le Havre, but eventually finished early. He left the field just before halftime with a hamstring injury. Now we need to check the condition of the injury," he said.
Lee Kang-in participated in the Japanese tour, but could not play with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates. So did Neymar, who was on the team at the time. Paris Saint-Germain didn't have the resources to supply creative passes in the second line. It was only after third-line midfielder Marco Verratti came in that he managed to breathe.
After that, he made all-out efforts to recover from his injury and matched his physical condition in the opening game. He was not 100% injured in the pre-season, but he was a light physical player in the opening game. In the 12th minute of the first half, a sharp killer pass surprised Paris Saint-Germain home fans' sharp killer pass. He also attempted a bold shot, but failed to score an offensive point due to the Lorient defensive network.
He played for 82 minutes as a starter in the opening game and played on the ground. Pass success rate was 86%, and ball touch was 58. European soccer statistics companies such as "Foot Mob" selected Lee Kang-in as a man of the match (MOM) while giving him high scores. It was the only resource that shone in the somewhat frustrating Paris Saint-Germain attack.
French Ligue 1 also gave Lee Kang-in a thumbs up. Lee Kang-in brilliantly enjoyed the space where Lionel Messi played, selecting him as the best player in the game. Paris Saint-Germain players must have been satisfied with Lee Kang-in's performance. Hamus played with Asensio and others, receiving attack support from Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in showed a wide range of influence on the Paris Saint-Germain attack, revitalizing it. I deserve praise," he said.
Defending champion South Korea was part of Group 1's Six Nations. Host China, the top five teams in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games were seeded. The draw was held in the order of Group 4, Group 3, Group 2, and Group 1, and Hwang Sun-hong's Korean national team will enter Group E, which includes Kuwait, Thailand and Bahrain in turn.
Later, French media "Lekip" said, "Lee Kang-in has been at the center of the issue in Korea. But now I'm finally going to the Asian Games. It was approved by Paris Saint-Germain on the 14th. I will travel to China in the next few hours," he said.
"The decision was made through conversations between the player, the agent, and the Paris Saint-Germain club. Lee Kang-in's side said, "I am grateful to the club for managing the situation and helping the player like this. Everyone responded happily, saying, "It's a happy result."
Fabrizio Romano, an expert on the European transfer market, also said, "As I understand it, Paris Saint-Germain sent a green light to Lee Kang-in's transfer to the Asian Games." Paris Saint-Germain reported that Lee Kang-in is expected to be transferred to the 2023 Asian Games.
The Korea Football Association said in a press release, "After consultation with Lee Kang-in's team, Paris Saint-Germain, Lee Kang-in finally agreed on the night of the 14th to join the Asian Games national team after his team's European Champions League match against Dortmund on the 19th local time in France." Lee Kang-in will move to Hangzhou, China, on the 20th local time in France and join the Asian Games national team, it was announced.
"The Korea Football Association received an email from the Paris Saint-Germain club on the 13th that it would allow the Asian Games to be transferred on the premise of adjusting the Asian Cup transfer schedule, and discussed with the Paris club until late at night on the 14th, and finally received an official answer from the Paris club that it would allow the team to join the Asian Games team on the 20th without any other preconditions," he said.
Lee Kang-in joined Hangzhou ahead of the second group match against Thailand. He gradually raised his form and prepared and stepped on the ground in Game 3. Under coach Hwang Sun-hong's rotation, he teamed up with his teammates and won 2-1 over arch-nemesis Japan in the final of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games Men's Soccer at Huanglong Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China. As a result, he won five Asian Games (1970, 1978, 1986, 2014, 2018), the most among the countries participating in the Asian Games ever, and set the golden tower of the first three consecutive wins in history.
Coach Hwang also changed his lineup in the final. Jung Woo-young and Lee Kang-in and Ko Young-joon were placed in the second line, with Cho Young-wook as the main front-line striker. Hong Hyun-suk was chosen as the match for captain Baek Seung-ho in the midfield. Following right defender Hwang Jae-won, central defenders Lee Han-beom and Park Jin-seop, he chose Park Kyu-hyun, not Seol Young-woo, as the left defender. The goalkeeper was invariably guarded by Lee Kwang-yeon.
We got off to a bad start. Japan pierced the right side of Hwang Jae-won's defense and Kotaro Uchino finished with a right-footed shot that was sent forward. It was the first time that South Korea allowed a first run in this tournament.
However, Korea was determined to overturn the situation. South Korea brought the game back to square one in the 26th minute of the first half. Jung Woo-young, the top scorer, was the troubleshooter again this time. Hwang Jae-won crossed the ball protected by Baek Seung-ho, and Jung Woo-young, who was on the other side, shook the Japanese net with a header.
In the second half, he scored a come-from-behind goal to change the mood. Hwang Jae-won dragged two Japanese defenders and dribbled alone. When Jung Woo-young tried to catch the ball Hwang Jae-won put into the penalty box, he tangled with Japanese defenders, and Cho Young-wook, who was rushing, did not miss the ball and shook the net and roared. Since then, it has been a tight push and pull, but it ended with South Korea's victory.
When the news of South Korea's gold medal was announced, Paris Saint-Germain said on the club's official page, "The Korean men's soccer U-23 team, including Paris Saint-Germain player Lee Kang-in, won the Asian Games final and won the gold medal. I sincerely congratulate you on your victory," he announced.
Later, when Lee Kang-in posted a photo of him with the Asian Games gold medal around his neck on his personal social network service (SNS), Paris Saint-Germain teammates Kylian Mbappe and Keylor Navas celebrated with a flame-clapping emoji. Neymar, who was with him until the preseason this summer, also responded to Lee Kang-in's post and sent a congratulatory message.
Lee Kang-in joined the A national team for the A match warm-up match in October after the Hangzhou Asian Games. In the match against Tunisia, he was placed as a central midfielder, but moved to the side during the game. It was a conclusion made after a conversation with Lee Jae-sung, but when asked by reporters, "Not only in the game that day, but through training, Kangin was comfortable to see the right side more than in the middle. We kept communicating. Rather than being specially decided by us because the second-line resources are players who can see all positions, we were able to have a chance to talk and play comfortably in the stadium because coach Klinsmann gave us autonomy. I think this worked well in the match against Tunisia, and I think it is the second line's role to match which position each other plays better when we continue to find such a combination in the future.
In the match against Vietnam, he played as a side midfielder. In the waist, Lee Jae-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Kang-in, and Son Heung-min supported firepower with switching plays, while Park Yong-woo supported. The four backs were Kim Min-jae, Jung Seung-hyun, Seol Young-woo and Lee Ki-je, and Cho Hyun-woo wore goalkeeper gloves.
Korea drove Vietnam from the first half. In the fifth minute of the first half, Kim Min-jae shook the net with a header and scored the first goal. Vietnam tried to take the lead in attack for a comeback goal, but it was inferior in physical and basic ball touch.
South Korea did not miss the lead by increasing ball possession. Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan aimed for Vietnam's gaps with various pattern plays and switching. Hwang Hee-chan made a round-hearted shot, but he was blocked by the defensive wall and tried to ease the regret. Around the 15th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in's shot, which only turned around after receiving the ball, slightly missed, causing 40,000 spectators to shout.
Vietnam made intermittent attacks, but they were not a threat to South Korea. After blocking one attack on Vietnam, South Korea calmly released the attack from the back. Vietnam made a threatening scene in the 23rd minute of the first half. It wasn't clean, but he took the shot by reversing the gap between the Korean defense. However, he missed the goal because it was not accurate.
South Korea immediately responded. Vietnam kept its defensive formation in the box, but it relieved the pressure with a flexible dribble and pass. Son Heung-min continued with a shot, but the ball was opened because the zero was not hit yet. Since then, Hwang Hee-chan has scored. In the 27th minute of the first half, Lee Jae-sung calmly received the ball that advanced toward the penalty box at the 2.5th line and pushed it into the Vietnamese net. Hwang Hee-chan, who gained momentum after scoring, boldly broke through from the side and attempted a cross on Cho Kyu-sung's head.
Vietnam lost two goals but did not back down. In the 30th minute of the first half, he dug into the right side and aimed for a chance and shot. South Korea started with Son Heung-min's starting point in the 32nd minute of the first half and supplied a half-beat fast pass to Cho Kyu-sung, who Lee Kang-in penetrated. In the 35th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in fired a free kick in front of the box as sharp as against Tunisia to cool Vietnam.
South Korea continued its lead, while Vietnam seemed to focus on defense. Mainly, Hwang Hee-chan dribbled and created space from the left side, opening the door to the Korean attack. Son Heung-min set fire to South Korea's firepower and drove the defense in the attacking midfielder position. Just before the end of the first half, Lee Jae-sung took a shot after penetration, but he was held in the arms of the Vietnamese goalkeeper.
South Korea tasted another goal when the whistle blew in the second half. In the second minute of the second half, Cho Kyu-sung shook Vietnam's defensive balance as Son Heung-min exchanged one-two passes. Son Heung-min competed with Cho Kyu-sung and Bo Min-jong on the ball that he pushed near the goal, and it became an own goal after being hit by Bo Min-jong's foot. Vietnam took the ball from the Korean side for a comeback goal, but it did not create an opportunity easily.
South Korea attempted a different pattern attack with Son Heung-min hitting low at a corner kick. Vietnam also tried to find a way out of the set piece. In the 12th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min tried to finish the ball slightly raised by Cho Kyu-sung in the box with a header, but it was not threatening.
South Korea's captain Son Heung-min shook the net in the 15th minute of the second half. Son Heung-min, who caught the ball in the box, roared accurately with his right foot. After scoring, he enjoyed the joy of clicking ceremony to 40,000 spectators gathered in Suwon.
Manager Klinsmann used Hwang Ui-jo and Jung Woo-young to test different offensive combinations. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in shook the net with a calm shot, completely bringing the atmosphere. It was a sharp shot after getting a pass from Son Heung-min and driving the Vietnamese defense.
Son Heung-min is the current player in Korea's offense. He has been leading the team with the national team captain's armband since the 2018 World Cup in Russia. While playing as a spiritual support, he impressed me with a shot at an important moment. He has also broken many records in the Premier League and is active as a top-class player.
Lee Kang-in is the future of Korea's offense. He grew up in the Valencia youth team and has a sharp left foot. He showed brilliant talent at the U-20 World Cup and the Qatar World Cup. He moved to Paris Saint-Germain this summer and is sweating with world-class players.
Many imagined Lee Kang-in pushing and Son Heung-min finishing, Son Heung-min pushing and Lee Kang-in finishing. Ahead of the Asian Cup, a joint goal between the two players against Vietnam unfolded on the ground.
Klinsmann said, "I'm trying to make active use of Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in is now at the starting line in his Paris Saint-Germain career. To be honest, it is hard to regard it as a starting resource for every game. Paris Saint-Germain are a different team. Lee Kang-in will want playing time. I want to prove my skills in the national team and help it become a good starting point. I want to give him as much time as possible," he said.
However, Enrique plans to place Lee Kang-in as a midfielder rather than a side. He replied, "Lee Kang-in's top priority is to play as a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain and our game plan."
Of course, he mentioned additional options because various positions for the second line are possible. Enrique said, "Lee Kang-in can play as a winger as well as a fake No. 9 and a shadow striker. Lee Kang-in has a scoring ability and a great talent for the last pass. "It's a very interesting player," he said, suggesting the next best option.
Now Lee Kang-in has to play different roles for the national team and Paris Saint-Germain. In the national team, he plays in the aspect that he has felt comfortable since his days in Mallorca, but in Paris Saint-Germain, he has to play as a midfielder. For Lee Kang-in himself, the midfielder is right to increase his competitiveness in Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain has the world's best wingers, Kylian Mbappe and Usmang Dembele. 스포츠토토