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Why can't Lee Kang-in do anything?
Lee Kang-in gives 100% trust to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique no matter what role he plays in any position.
PSG beat Stade Rennes 3-1 in the sixth round match of the 2024-2025 French League held at the Parc des Princes in Paris at 4 a.m. on Sunday. With this victory, PSG will likely maintain its No. 1 position in the league as it continues its unbeaten streak.
He is a striker who will be troubled throughout this season. While Gonzalo Hamus has yet to come back due to a broken ankle, Rendal Colo Muani has not received much trust. With two No. 9 players struggling with injuries and sluggishness, Enrique appointed Marco Asensio as a fake striker. However, Asensio was also injured.
In the end, there were many expectations that Colomuany would be selected, but Enrique put Lee Kang-in in the position of a fake striker. Lee Kang-in has excellent soccer intelligence, but his role as a fake striker is a really difficult position.
Numerous coaches and teams have tried fake striker tactics, but they have failed. Unless you are a player who really understands soccer well, it is difficult to show good performance in this role.
Lee Kang-in also took on the role of a fake striker for the first time at PSG, and his concern was unfavorable. It is no exaggeration to say that Lee Kang-in showed the best performance since moving to PSG.
Lee Kang-in was at the forefront of PSG players in basic formation, but when he started the build-up, he moved like an attacking midfielder. Often, Lee Kang-in came down to the deep position of the third line, confusing Ren players. As Lee Kang-in moved like another piece of the midfield, PSG was able to take possession with certainty in the middle.
A representative scene of fake striker Lee Kang-in's effect is in the 18th minute of the first half. Lee Kang-in came down under right wing forward Usman Dembele. As Lee Kang-in crept down, Ren's defense was brought in, and Dembele penetrated at this time. Lee Kang-in quickly sent the pass to Dembele. Dembele's shot was way off, but Lee Kang-in's sense was great.
Lee Kang-in came down to the midfield like this and used his own strengths, but sometimes moved in the penalty box like a No. 9 striker. In the 35th minute of the first half, the situation showed Lee Kang-in's role as No. 9. Bradley Barcola dug in from the left and handed the pass to Lee Kang-in in the penalty box. Lee Kang-in did not fall behind in the defender's checks, and connected the ball to Fabien Lewis. It was the same as an authentic striker linking up and creating a shooting opportunity for his teammates.
The scoring scene also showed Lee Kang-in's fake striker movement. When Dembele handed over the pass, Lee Kang-in's position was an attacking midfielder's position. Lee Kang-in created a shot opportunity for Barcola again and immediately penetrated into the penalty box like a striker. The ball hit the net was lucky to go to Lee Kang-in, but on the contrary, Lee Kang-in would not have scored if he had not shown such a move.
Even when he was attacking after scoring a goal, he had a great sense to pass the shot to Fabien, who could have a better chance to score at the penalty box. While attempting to shoot three times on the day, Lee Kang-in displayed creative pass sense by displaying his image as a striker and creating chances as many as seven times. He seemed to have already mastered the role of a fake striker.
Praise continued in the local area. French foot Mercato praised Lee Kang-in, who stood in a unique position as a fake striker, for leading PSG to a 3-1 victory. "Lee proved his excellent start to the season and provided a new alternative to Enrique in the attack scene."
"Lee Kang-in has taken various positions at PSG since the beginning of the season, including Winger, central midfielder, offensive midfielder and now fake striker, and the effect is the same," the media said. Lee Kang-in, who is 173cm tall, has not been effective even in his unusual role as a fake striker. He proved that he can be an alternative in the absence of Asensio and Hamus."