Looking at Desiree's performance, there is nothing to say even if Lee Kang-in is pushed out.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won 3-1 in the first leg of the 2024-2025 European Champions League (UCL) quarterfinals against Aston Villa at 4 a.m. on the 10th (Korea time). With this victory, PSG has gained the upper hand in advancing to the semifinals.
One of the players who led PSG to victory was Due. Despite playing an overwhelming game, PSG lost the first run in the 35th minute of the first half when it missed Morgan Rogers on the counterattack. It was Due who immediately changed the mood that could make him saggy. In the 39th minute of the first half, Doue caught the ball from the left and hit it to the center, penetrating goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with a fantastic shot.
Due continued to try threatening shots after scoring, making PSG take the lead. A scene showing how much water Due's personal abilities have risen recently came in extra time in the first half. Due, who blocked Villa's counterattack from the center, tried to break through the center, peeling off the defender with a Marseille turn and hitting directly into the penalty box. The shot was blocked by the hand-to-hand defense, but Due's confidence was seen in calmly peeling off the defender even in the penalty box.
Due finished the game by being replaced in the 27th minute of the second half. Statistically, both offense and defense were close to perfect, including three effective shots, three opportunities, two dribbles (four attempts), four offensive passes, two tackles (four attempts), one interception, and eight competitions (13 attempts).
Lee Kang-in is the player who was pushed out as Doue jumped to PSG's main player as he grew up in the second half of the year. At the beginning of the season, Due did not receive many opportunities because he was behind Lee Kang-in. Due's performance was also not good. However, Due's performance has risen since December 2024, and PSG coach Luis Enrique's choice has begun to change.
Due's strength over Lee Kang-in is his ability to hit the penalty box. Lee Kang-in is an offensive resource close to a playmaker, but Due is a style that can be involved in scoring more directly. Looking at the attack points alone, Lee Kang-in has 6 goals and 5 assists in 41 games this season, but Due has 12 goals and 12 assists in 43 games. There are twice as many offensive points as Lee Kang-in.
If Due continues to perform so well, there is no reason to change from Enrique's point of view. PSG has already been framed in attack and midfield to some extent, so there is no time for Lee Kang-in to squeeze in.
PSG will also try to raise Due rather than Lee Kang-in. Born in 2005, a player four years younger than Lee Kang-in is even a French player. Due's appearance is making Lee Kang-in's PSG career difficult.
Reporter Kim Dae-sik rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
