Will Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) experience the tragedy of Park Ji-sung again?
Paris Saint-Germain will compete for the championship trophy against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final for the 2024-25 season, which will take place on June 1 at 4 a.m. (Korea time) at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
After winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, Paris Saint-Germain is aiming for a treble. This is the club's first attempt at winning the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain finished as runners-up in 2020 but has yet to win the Champions League.
There are unfortunate forecasts that Lee Kang-in might not participate in the most important match of the season. ESPN selected and announced the "30 players who could have the most impact in the Champions League final," and Lee Kang-in's name was not included. This suggests that he will not even serve as a key bench player.
Other media predictions are similar. 'WhoScored.com' expects Lee Kang-in to be excluded from PSG's starting lineup for the Champions League final. The 4-3-3 PSG lineup is forecasted to include Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, Luis, Vitinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma as the best options.
Coach Luis Enrique does not trust Lee Kang-in. Lee Kang-in was once again excluded from the starting lineup in the crucial Coupe de France final where the championship was at stake. Even though he was on the substitute list, he did not play a single second.
Coach Enrique did not consider Lee Kang-in despite having scored three goals in the first half to lead 3-0, opting instead to bring on Hernández, Beraud, Gonçalo Hamus, Mayulu, and Zaire Emery in the second half. This is why rumors of Lee Kang-in's transfer are circulating.
Even if PSG wins, it would be a bittersweet victory for Lee Kang-in if he does not play. Lee Kang-in also did not get a chance to play in PSG's final match of Ligue 1. This season, Lee Kang-in contributed to PSG's success with six goals and five assists, but he could not celebrate.
Lee Kang-in's situation is similar to that of Park Ji-sung 17 years ago. Park Ji-sung's Manchester United won the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Park Ji-sung became the first Korean player to win the Champions League, but he was not even included in the player roster for that most important final.
[OSEN]