The key is the fitness of Lee Kang-in (22-Paris Saint-Germain PSG). Lee joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Real Mallorca (Spain) on September 9. Expectations are high. Local French media are touting Lee as a key player for PSG in the 2023-2024 season. New PSG coach Luis Enrique is keeping a close eye on Lee. He put Lee in the starting lineup for the first pre-season friendly against Le Havre AC in Paris, France, on Aug. 22. Lee repaid the faith. He showed off his talents with light movements, sharp passes, and breakaway pressures. However, in the 43rd minute of the first half, he complained of a pain in his right leg. Enrique was so surprised that he went to check on him.
There were concerns. If it was a hamstring injury, it would take him at least two weeks to return. This would have disrupted PSG”s preparations for the start of the season. In fact, Lee did not play in PSG’s friendly against Al-Nasr (Saudi Arabia) on September 25 in Osaka, Japan. He was named on the substitutes’ bench, but ended up watching the game from the bench. PSG will next face Cerezo Osaka (Aug. 28-Osaka), Inter Milan (Aug. 1-Tokyo), and Jeonbuk Hyundai (Aug. 3-Busan).
It’s not just PSG who are keeping a close eye on Lee’s fitness. Hwang Sun-hong’s team, which is preparing for the Hangzhou Asian Games in September, is also constantly checking on Lee. The South Korea U-24 national team, led by Hwang Sun-hong, held a mini-training session at Paju NFC from the 25th to the 27th. On the 25th, Hwang said, “I heard that (Lee Kang-in) needs up to three days. I say it’s not a serious injury. It’s a muscle, and we don’t know when or how it will cause problems again. I think he needs to be a little bit careful. There is some time before the competition, so I don’t think it will recover enough.”
Lee Kang-in is considered to be the centerpiece of the Hwang Sun Hong-ho team. Earlier, Hwang said, “I have a plan for how to use Lee Kang-in, including his position in the main plan and his role in the B plan. We need to coordinate through communication with the player. Lee Kang-in is a good (player). His individual ability is good, and I respect him, but soccer is a team sport. It’s important that the 11, or even 22, players are looking in the same direction as a team. Lee is a very smart player. I’m sure he’s fully aware of that. I think he will do a good job as a teammate.” 메이저사이트
French outlet RMC Sport quoted a club official as saying on the 27th that Lee will be back on the pitch soon, adding, “The club’s officials believe he has the ability to recover quickly. There is a lot of attention on Lee’s physical condition.