The official website of UEFA included Lee Kang-in in the Paris Saint-Germain squad to play against Dortmund in anticipation of the last group match of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, which will take place over two days on the 12th (Korea time). Lee Kang-in was on the offensive team along with Langdal Colomuani and Kylian Mbappe.
Lee Kang-in has been exchanging views between center midfielder and side striker this season depending on team circumstances. In a match against Nantes on Thursday, he replaced Usman Dembele as a right side striker. He collaborated with Hakimi Carlos Soler and others on the right side, and successfully passed several sharp passes to front-line striker Kylian Mbappe, impressing Coach Enrique.
The reason why he is more likely to play against Dortmund is that Dembele cannot play due to suspension. Dembele was suspended from one game for accumulating three group warnings as a warning in the fourth group match against Newcastle United.
ESPN also pinned its hopes on Lee Kang-in to replace Dembele. ESPN said, “Enrique enjoyed a conversation with Lee Kang-in, who will play on the right side in place of Dembele in the match against Dortmund. This is because Paris Saint-Germain’s build-up depends on the teamwork of Lee Kang-in and Ashraf Hakimi.” 안전 토토사이트
“Dembele’s suspension is a big blow. Many passes pass through Dembele, making him a major playmaker. I saw it when Dembele was put in with about 25 minutes left in the match against Nantes. Before that, all Paris Saint-Germain attack speeds and rhythms were much slower. Lee Kang-in is a different type of player than Dembele. He explained, “He doesn’t have the same speed, but he can make a difference with dribbling accuracy and technical ability.”
Enrique gives high marks to Lee’s multi-position skills. “Lee Kang-in is a player that we can utilize in many positions. He can be used not only as a midfielder but also as a “fake No. 9″ inside. He can also play as a wing. He also has the ability to score the last pass,” he said. “I am very happy to be with Lee.”
Lee Kang-in wore a Paris Saint-Germain uniform ahead of this season based on his performance in Mallorca, Spain’s Primera Liga, over the past two seasons. Unlike Mallorca, Paris Saint-Germain was expected to be difficult to guarantee steady playing time, given that it was lined with star players. In fact, Paris Saint-Germain expanded its use of players by recruiting Goncalo Hamus, Asensio and Dembele to the strikers where Lionel Messi and Neymar left.
However, Lee Kang-in has established himself as a main player since he started in both of the opening matches of the Ligue 1, starting after the Asian Games and the national team. He has played in eight matches in the League this season, scoring one goal and one assist, and even scored a goal in a Champions League match against AC Milan on October 26.
Like the Group of Death, Group F, which includes Paris Saint-Germain, is fierce until the end. With five games played, Dortmund secured the top second place with 10 points and confirmed its advance to the round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain is second with seven points. Newcastle United and AC Milan still have hopes for the round of 16 with five points.
If Paris Saint-Germain beats Dortmund, it will advance to the round of 16 on its own. If the points are the same, the team will become No. 1 in its group, beating over Dortmund, according to how points are scored → goal difference → face-to-face matches. Paris Saint-Germain defeated Dortmund 2-0 in the first round.
However, a tie with Dortmund complicates the situation. Paris Saint-Germain was one draw and one loss inferior to Newcastle United in two games. Therefore, if Paris Saint-Germain ties with Dortmund and Newcastle United beats AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain will drop and Newcastle United will advance to the round of 16.
The number of cases in which AC Milan wins is different. Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan have one win and one loss. Therefore, it is time for the goal difference. Paris Saint-Germain defeated AC Milan 3-0 in the first leg and lost 1-2 in the second leg. Paris Saint-Germain will advance to the round of 16 teams because they have a two-goal lead.
ESPN said, “As Coach Enrique told the players, it is time for Paris Saint-Germain to become a true team and control their fate. Everything is in Paris’ hands. There is no room for pressure. As Coach Colo Mouaney claimed, whether he will stay in the Champions League or not is in jeopardy.”