Lee Kang-in, the goaltender of the month in March of the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), was expected to start in a match against the lowest-ranked team in the league.
PSG Community, which mainly delivers PSG news, predicted a starting lineup on the 6th (Korea time), saying, “Luis Enrique can operate a large rotation against Clermont.”
PSG will play Clermont Foote in the 28th round of the 2023-24 French League at 4 a.m. on the 7th at Parc des Princes in Paris, France.
Ahead of the match, many expected PSG to win in a row. While it is a home game and PSG is leading the league with 62 points (18 wins, 8 draws, 1 loss) this season, Clermont with 20 points (4 wins, 8 draws, 15 losses) remains in 18th place, the lowest in the league.
Fans were more interested in the lineup than the result because the match was between top and bottom of the league. If the match is held at home against Clermont, PSG will play the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Barcelona at 4 a.m. on the 11th.
As Barcelona is one of the best clubs in the world, fans are currently interested in the quarterfinals against Barcelona. Therefore, fans are hoping to stage a rotation against Clermont to give the main players a break and then stage an all-out war against Barcelona.
Local media in France also predicted that Luis Enrique, who leads PSG, could operate a large rotation against Clermont in consideration of the schedule.
According to PSG’s expected lineup of Clermont matches posted by the PSG community, citing French media Le Parisien, many key players, including Kylian Mbappe, Usman Dembele and Vitinha, were excluded from the selection. Instead, Lee Kang-in was selected as one of the starting members, drawing attention.
The starting lineup expected by the media consisted of a 4-3-3 formation. Keylor Navas kept the goal, and Nunu Mendes (Nordi Mukiele), Danilu Pereira, Marquignos and Ashraf Hakimi made up the back four. Carlos Soler, Manuel Ugarte and Lee Kang-in were in charge of the midfield, while Randal Colo Muani, Gonzalo Hamus and Marco Asensio were listed on the frontline three-top line.
Lee Kang-in returned to the club after completing his A-match schedule in March and was replaced at the start of the second half in the 27th round away match of the league against Olympique de Marseille on the 1st. Although he failed to raise his offensive point, he actively worked on the ground for PSG, which fought with 10 players as one player was sent off, helping to win 2-0.
Since then, Lee Kang-in started in the semifinal match of the Coup de France against Stade Rennes on the 4th and helped PSG advance to the finals with a 1-0 victory. According to Football Statistics Media Foot Mob, Lee Kang-in received a 7.4 rating, recording 88% (51/58), 50% (1/2), long pass success rate 67% (2/3), and two 카지노 tackle successes before being replaced in the 39th minute of the second half.
However, some criticized Lee Kang-in. According to France’s Planet PSG, French journalist Daniel Riolo recently said, “I don’t know what the hell is going on with Ascencio. What on earth does Ascencio lack than Lee Kang-in? What did Lee Kang-in do to become a substitute starting member?” and questioned Lee Kang-in’s selection.
“At the beginning of the season, Lee Kang-in’s dynamism and will came to me attractively. After some time, I thought I could do better. But after that, Lee Kang-in did nothing,” he added.
However, regardless of the criticism, Enrique, who is facing an important match, was expected to start Lee Kang-in at the match against Clermont. As the opponent team is at the bottom of the league, we can expect Lee Kang-in’s eighth offensive point of the season.
Having transferred to PSG through transfer window last summer, Lee appeared in 25 games as a starter and replacement this season, scoring four goals and three assists. He has two goals and two assists in 16 games in the league.
Lee Kang-in started in the 26th round of the 2023-2024 League 1 away game against Montpellier at Stade de la Moson in Montpellier, France on the 18th of last month, scoring his team’s fourth goal in the 8th minute of the second half, contributing greatly to the 6-2 victory.
Lee Kang-in, who started as a right midfielder, advanced from the right side in front of the box in the eighth minute of the second half, exchanged passes with Randall Colomois Muani, and attempted a powerful left-footed shot to shake the net. Lee, who scored his second league goal, ran straight to Mbappe and hugged him for joy. Mbappe also gave him a warm hug and congratulated him.
Lee Kang-in’s wonderful goal against Montpellier caught the attention of PSG fans. PSG announced on the club’s official SNS on the 5th that Lee Kang-in’s wonder goal against Montpellier became the club’s goal of the month in March 2024.
In a fan vote held on social media, Lee Kang-in became the club’s goal of the month with an overwhelming 53.2 percent of support, beating Vitinha, Mbappe’s score against Montpellier, and Gonzalo Hamus’ score against Marseille. He also challenged the League 1 goal of the month by being listed as a candidate for March goal of the month by the League 1 secretariat.
Attention is expected to be focused on whether Lee Kang-in, who scored the coolest goal among PSG players in March, will be able to ignite the competition for selection by starting against Clermont as expected.