'Local Spanish Outrage': How Hard Did Lee Kang-in Have It? Atlético Receives 'Unprecedented' Worst Criticism: "As Many as 7 Players..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Atlético Madrid suffered a crushing defeat in an away match against Athletic Bilbao, displaying lifeless performance and drawing harsh criticism from local Spanish media. Among the players who took part, no fewer than seven received failing grades, and starting midfielder Lee Kang-in (25) also failed to escape severe criticism.

On the 6th (Korean time), Spanish outlet 'El Desmarque' released player ratings immediately after the Bilbao match, strongly criticizing Atlético: "They showed a better performance in the first half, hitting the goalpost twice, but completely collapsed in the second half. The defense crumbled due to consecutive errors, and as many as seven players received failing grades."

On the 5th, Atlético played an away match in the fourth round of the 2026–2027 Spanish La Liga at Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, losing 0-3 to Athletic Bilbao. Lee Kang-in fought hard until the 13th minute of the second half, striking the goalpost with a right-footed shot, but ultimately could not prevent Atlético's scoreless defeat.

On this day, many Atlético players received humiliating failing grades in the 3rd–4 point range. 'El Desmarque' gave goalkeeper Jan Oblak a rating of 3 points, stating, "He did not commit any decisive errors during the goals conceded, but he failed to make even a single save throughout the match."

Key players from both defense and attack also faced sharp criticism. Left-back Alex Grimaldi received a 3-point rating and was criticized for showing "serious cracks in defense, getting completely bypassed by Roberto Navarro, which led to the second goal. He had no presence even during set pieces."

Right-side starting defender Marcos Llorente also received a rating of 4 points and was evaluated as having "lost a tight duel against Nico Williams, giving up the opportunity for the opening goal."

Attackers Adolamo Lukman, who played alongside Lee Kang-in at the front, and Julián Simione on the right flank both received ratings of just 3 points. The media criticized Lukman, saying, "Even though he moved to his more familiar left flank, he showed no sharpness whatsoever. He failed to create a single threatening scene in an hour." Julián Simione, son of coach Diego Simeone, also bowed his head after being told, "Despite the team's attacks mainly developing on the right side, he played his worst match and was ultimately substituted early in the second half."

Among the substitutes, Koke and Arnau Ortiz both received ratings of 4 points. The media harshly criticized Koke, stating, "He showed no better performance than Morten Hjulmand and failed to fulfill the midfield leadership role the team needed." Regarding Ortiz, they expressed disappointment: "He did not create any of the cracks coach Simeone expected and barely managed to touch the ball."

Lee Kang-in received a rating of 5 points. While his early performance was impressive, analysis suggests his influence waned as the match progressed. 'El Desmarque' noted about Lee Kang-in: "As usual at the start of matches, he began by targeting the opponent's goal and delivered a sharp shot that hit the goalpost after fluid dribbling in tight spaces." However, they added, "As time passed, his performance declined, and Atlético had to directly feel the consequences of Lee Kang-in's diminished presence."

In contrast, only Marc Pubill (6 points), who showed dedicated defense throughout the first half, Hjulmand (6 points), who stabilized the midfield, Pablo Barrios (6 points), and Alex Baena (6 points), who led attacks with bold shots, received the team's highest ratings and preserved their dignity. Christian Romero, who made his debut as a substitute, and Julián Álvarez, who took decisive shots, both recorded 5-point ratings.

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*This content was translated by AI.