Lee Kang-in helped the second season of 'Delivery Cross'

Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in (22), who plays for the strongest French professional football team, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), scored his second help of the season, helping the team win and lead the way.

Lee Kang-in assisted his teammate Vitinha's goal in the third minute of the second half at the home game of the 2023-24 French League 1 against FC Mes at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 21st. Playing as a side wingback in the 3-4-3 formation, he served as the starting point for a goalie who broke the 0-0 balance with a blade-like cross. Since then, PSG has won 3-1 with multiple goals by its main gun Kylian Mbappe.

This is the second time Lee Kang-in has scored an assist since joining PSG. He added a valuable assist in 53 days after he assisted Mbappe's score in the 28th minute of the first half with a 1-0 lead in the away game against Brest (3-2 PSG) in October.

PSG, which secured victory by banking on Lee Kang-in's attack point, ended its schedule in the first half of the year. It had 40 points with 12 wins, four draws and one loss, beating second-ranked Nice (35 points) by five points to lead the league.

Lee Kang-in has established a solid position in the team by starting in five regular league games and seven consecutive games including the Cup since the match against Reims on the 11th of last month, but the local media in France is rather cold. This is because some media have continuously reported that "Lee Kang-in is not good enough." Pierre Menes, a local commentator in charge of PSG's game broadcast, criticized, "Lee Kang-in tends to be too biased toward the side. He scored two or three beautiful goals, but he has no personality."

PSG coach Luis Enrique actively defended his student. In an official press conference ahead of the match against Messe, he praised Lee Kang-in, "He may be a somewhat unfamiliar player to those who do not watch the Spanish Primera Liga, but he is not only a skilled player but also a player who knows how to sacrifice for the team."

"Lee can play both roles as a winger and plays in the center as well. Sometimes he can play the role of fake No. 9. He is also excellent in defense. He is very important to our team," Enrique said. "He is treated as a superstar in Korea."

Lee Kang-in showed a high-quality play as a winger in the match against Mes. In addition, he rewarded the coach's praise by scoring an attack point that opened the door to victory.

Lee Kang-in, who wrapped up the first half of PSG's schedule after a short year-end break, will immediately switch to the national team mode. Ahead of the Asian Cup finals in Qatar in January next year, he will convene the national team from the beginning of the new year to help him win the Asian Cup for the first time in 64 years since 1960. Finishing the last game with a pleasant attacking point before joining the national team is expected to serve as a plus factor in the Asian Cup stage. 스포츠토토