Paris Saint-Germain had a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in the fifth Group F match of the 2023-2024 European Champions League held at Paris des Princes on the 29th. 스포츠토토

For PSG, this match against Newcastle was an important match that could determine the group stage performance of the European Champions League. PSG, which was ranked second in Group F before the match, had six points, and the gap with third-place AC Milan was only two points, so the possibility of falling to the bottom of the group could not be ruled out depending on the results of the match.

In this situation, PSG ranked second in the group after Dortmund, which won the match between AC Milan and Dortmund, which were played together against Newcastle. If they lost this game, they would not be able to advance to the round of 16 in the European Champions League because they would not be able to advance to the round of 16 if Newcastle won against AC Milan, but they saved the possibility of advancing on their own with a dramatic draw.

PSG pulled out a 4-3-3 card on the day. Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani and Usman Dembele were the three-top players, while Lee Kang-in, Manuel Ugarte and Fabian Lewis were located in the midfield. The four-back was made by Luca Hernandez, Danilu, Milan Shkriniar and Ashraf Hakami. The goal was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Newcastle faced off 4-3-3. Miguel Almiron, Aleksander Issaq and Anthony Gordon three-top. Joelington, Bruno Guimaryangis and Luis Miley played in the midfield. Kieran Trippier and Valentino Livramento took over as side backs, Fabian Cher and Jamal Lascelles as center backs. Nick Pope was the goalkeeper.

Lee Kang-in was paying a lot of attention to whether he would be selected ahead of this game. It was an important game against Newcastle, but there were not many opinions that expected Lee Kang-in to start. UEFA released the expected starting list of PSG and Newcastle on its official website on the 27th, but Lee Kang-in’s name was neither in the midfield nor in the offense. UEFA’s predicted starting list was a similar lineup to the Ligue 1 home game against AS Monaco, where Lee Kang-in was absent earlier.

The opinions of RMC Sports in France were not very different. RMC Sports also said, “PSG’s aggressive 4-3-3 configuration possibility and Enrique’s 4-3-3 team will have to fight against Newcastle. Enrique said he will play an aggressive 4-3-3 in the rematch. This is the same starting list as in the last match against Monaco. However, there remains uncertainty about the central striker position, he said, adding that only Gonzalo Hamus and Muani will play in the last game’s starting list, and did not mention the possibility of Lee Kang-in starting.

Coach Enrique did not provide an accurate answer on whether Lee Kang-in will start or not. Asked about the possibility of coexistence of Vitinha and Lee Kang-in, Enrique, who participated in the pre-press conference against Newcastle with Lee Kang-in’s position competitor, said, I think good players can always play together. Both Vitinha and Lee Kang-in can play as wingers or midfielders. Both players may start, he said, explaining that the two players are not competing for one spot.

This prospect was unfortunate because Lee Kang-in rarely received a chance to start in the European Champions League, even though he has performed well since the A match in October.

Lee Kang-in’s October was a good start. He won the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and scored his A-match debut goal against Tunisia. Even after PSG’s return, his performance continued. He started against Strasbourg and scored his first point for PSG in the third round of the European Champions League group stage against AC Milan at home on the 26th of last month, despite playing as a substitute. Lee Kang-in, who was deployed in the 26th minute of the second half, scored his team’s third goal in the 44th minute of the second half when PSG was ahead by two goals, helping the team win 3-0. With the score, Lee Kang-in scored his debut goal five games after joining PSG.

Lee Kang-in’s performance was consistent. Lee Kang-in, who started in the 10th round of the league away from Brest following the match against Strasbourg, succeeded in achieving the offensive point for the second consecutive game by helping Mbappe score with a great out-front pass. In the match against Montpellier, who made five consecutive league starts, he scored the winning goal and scored his first goal for Ligue 1.

The director also received favorable reviews. Regarding Lee Kang-in’s performance, Luis Enrique said, “He is a perfect player. He is small, but he can score front, rear, inside, side, defense, and even goal. For PSG he is a big recruit. I knew his potential from the time he signed the contract. There are still many things to develop, but they are playing well. I’m lucky to have him on the team,” he praised.

“Lee Kang-in doesn’t lose the ball when he’s under pressure. Make good decisions and score goals like today. And he’s hungry. Hunger is a really important factor in developing as a player. “He is another good player with such characteristics in our squad,” he also praised Lee Kang-in’s desperation.

Lee Kang-in has also shown strong desire for the European Champions League stage in interviews. Lee Kang-in said, “It’s a stage that not only I but all the players want to play. It’s an important competition for me, for the team. I am well aware that it is a really important game. We’re a team that always wants to win every game, and we only think about winning. You can win enough if you just do what you’ve prepared. I’m really looking forward to it and I hope that day comes soon. I moved to the team I’ve dreamed of since I was young and I’m playing with the best players in the world. “I can’t wait to play,” he said, making no secret of his expectations for participation in the European Champions League.

However, despite his performance, the opportunity to start in the European Champions League was hardly close. He played as a substitute in both the 3rd and 4th group games against AC Milan and played a short time. In addition, he took a rest in the match against AS Monaco after the A-match in November, and doubts continued right before the match over whether he could play a lot of time in this match against Newcastle.