Still, the only one to trust is 'KANG IN' as "ATM strikers are sidelined due to injuries"... Can Lee Kang-in break coach Simeone's early substitution button?

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Kang-in (25, Atlético Madrid) has been named in the squad for the match against Osasuna. With key team attackers sidelined due to injuries, Lee Kang-in's role has become even more critical.

Spain's 'El Desmarque' reported on the 15th (Korean time) that "Diego Simeone, the head coach, finalized a 23-man squad for the home match against Osasuna, and Lee Kang-in was included in the forward list."

Atlético will face Osasuna in a 6th-round La Liga 2026–2027 season home match at Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium on the 17th at 2:00 AM (Korean time).

According to media reports, Atlético is suffering severe losses due to the absence of key players. Julián Álvarez will miss two consecutive matches following his previous absence against Real Sociedad due to muscle overload. Alexander Sørloth has also been dealing with an injury for over a month and has yet to make his official debut this season. Midfielder Pablo Barrios, who injured his adductor muscle, faces uncertainty about participating in the next match against Real Madrid in the derby.

The consecutive departures of attackers present a clear opportunity for Lee Kang-in. In the squad list released by El Desmarque, Lee Kang-in was classified as a forward (Delanteros) alongside Ademola Lookman, Jonathan David, and Arnau Ortiz. With key resources like Álvarez and Sørloth absent, Lee Kang-in is expected to take on the core role in attack and dominate the field.

This match also serves as a test for Lee Kang-in to overturn the coach's strict evaluation. In the 3-0 victory against Real Sociedad on the 14th, head coach Simeone substituted Lee Kang-in off after just 15 minutes of the second half. After the match, Coach Simeone pointed out his disappointment, stating, "Lee Kang-in appeared isolated when receiving the ball with his back to goal."

Regarding the recent early substitutions involving Lee Kang-in, Simeone directly urged him to improve further. The coach drew a line by saying, "Substitutions are part of the game," and added, "It is best for players to maintain high-level performance throughout the match so that the coach does not need to use substitution cards."

Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid returns to their home ground, Metropolitano, after completing four consecutive away matches. To address the shortage in the first-team defense, Coach Simeone has called up three promising players from the B team—Jorge Domínguez, Dani Martínez, and Jorge Castillo—to the first-team squad.

With several attackers injured, attention is focused on whether Lee Kang-in can overcome Coach Simeone's strict discipline and prove his value in front of home fans.

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*This content was translated by AI.