"How much better do I have to be to be a starter?" Lee Kang-in, expected to be left out of the starting lineup for the UCL match against Munich, faces 'treatment as a substitute' again... "Kim Min-jae also on the bench"

*This content was translated by AI.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker Lee Kang-in (25) delivered a stellar performance in the previous league match, but expectations now suggest he will not start in the 'War of the Stars.'

PSG is set to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals at Paris's Parc des Princes at 4 a.m. (Korean time) on the 29th.

On the 28th, the German outlet 'Kicker' released its predicted starting lineup for the match. However, Lee Kang-in's name was not included.

The media predicted that PSG would field an attack consisting of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Déziré Doué in a 4-3-3 formation, with Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves in midfield. The defense was expected to feature Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi, with Matvey Safonov in goal.

The prediction of Lee Kang-in being left out of the starting lineup is disappointing because of his outstanding performance in the previous league match. On the 26th, in Ligue 1 Round 31 away against Angers, Lee Kang-in scored one goal and provided one assist, leading PSG to a 3-0 victory.

Starting as a wide attacker that day, Lee Kang-in scored the opening goal just seven minutes into the first half. After Hakimi's right-footed shot struck the goalkeeper and rebounded, Lee Kang-in quickly surged forward, beat the goalkeeper, and calmly finished with his right foot.

This was his third league goal of the season, scored for the first time in about two months since his goal against Marseille in Round 21 on February 9. Including his goal in the UEFA Super Cup, it marks his fourth goal in official matches this season.

Lee Kang-in's footwork shone again in the second half. With PSG leading 2-0 at halftime, they sealed the victory in the 7th minute of the second half thanks to Lee Kang-in's assist. Lucas Beraldo headed in Lee Kang-in's sharp corner kick.

In fact, Lee Kang-in playing the full 90 minutes in the league match ahead of such a crucial UCL quarterfinal was a sign that he might be left out of the starting lineup against Munich. Coach Luis Enrique has been using Lee Kang-in strictly as a rotation player this season. Although Lee Kang-in has appeared in 10 UCL matches this season, he has not started any, and his total playing time has been limited to just 263 minutes.

Recently, Coach Enrique publicly praised Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Hamed, who are categorized as 'substitute players,' stating, "A team aiming to win all trophies needs players ready to dedicate themselves at any time." While this is a compliment acknowledging that both players deliver whenever they are called upon, it also reaffirms their status as bench members within the team.

Meanwhile, the predicted starting lineup for Munich released by Kicker did not include the name of South Korean defender Kim Min-jae. There is also a possibility that the Korean derby, which domestic fans have been anticipating, will not take place.

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*This content was translated by AI.