Expectations from Korean soccer fans are rising. The matchup, which was only put on imagination or soccer games, was achieved. There is a possibility that Kim Min-jae (30, Bayern Munich) will stop Lee Kang-in (24, Paris Saint-Germain) from breaking through.
The matchup between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been decided in the quarterfinals and single-round match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which is currently being held in the United States.
This means that Munich center back Kim Min-jae and PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in could face off as enemies. Of course, we have to overcome the barriers of reality. Kim Min-jae is currently recovering from an Achilles injury, and Lee Kang-in is not a main member of PSG. The possibility of a starting clash is significantly lower.
The match between the two teams was confirmed on the 30th (Korea time). PSG played the round of 16 first. The opponent was Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) led by Lionel Messi. In the match, PSG, the winner of the UEFA Champions League, showed an overwhelming power advantage and won 4-0. João Neves' multi-goal, opponent's own goal and Hakimi's net goal all exploded in the first half, and PSG took the lead early on.
Lee Kang-in was substituted in the 25th minute of the second half and played on the ground for 20 minutes. He also played against Messi. Lee Kang-in succeeded in all 19 passes on the same day, recording a 100% pass success rate. He even made a determined shot at the end of the second half. Although he did not score an offensive point, he left a pretty impressive appearance.
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| Photo capture=Bayern SNS |
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| Photo capture=Bayern SNS |
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The subsequent match between Bayern Munich and Flamengo (Brazil) was a slugfest. However, the final winner was Munich. Munich's Harry Kane scored two goals and even Goretzka and Kimihi scored to secure a 4-2 victory to advance to the quarterfinals. This resulted in a quarter-final clash between PSG and Munich. Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae will face each other in the quarterfinals.
The match between Lee Kang-in, a replacement member of PSG, and Kim Min-jae, who is undergoing rehabilitation with the Munich team, is actually difficult to achieve easily. There is a high possibility that it will not be objectively 'starting confrontation'.
However, there is a lingering feeling to nail it as impossible.
Kim Min-jae joined the team and continues to rehabilitate. Although his condition is clearly better than before, he did not play at all in the three group matches and the round of 16 against Flamengo (Brazil) at the Club World Cup. There is a high possibility that the quarterfinals will not be able to come out, but depending on the team's situation, they may appear for a while.
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PSG Lee Kang-in kicks a penalty kick in the first group match of the Club World Cup against AT Madrid on the 16th.
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Lee Kang-in's situation is a little better than Kim Min-jae. Even if he is not the main player, he has been consistently replaced at the Club World Cup. In the first group match against Atletico Madrid on the 16th, he was replaced and scored a penalty kick. He was then replaced in the round of 16 against Inter Miami and played 20 minutes.
Therefore, in the current atmosphere, Kim Min-jae will be absent, and only Lee Kang-in will likely come out as a substitute. If Kim Min-jae also appears on the ground, it would be a big surprise. Kim Min-jae is currently embroiled in rumors of a transfer. There have been widespread reports that Munich is trying to sell Kim Min-jae, who is unable to perform properly due to injury, in the summer transfer market.
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| FIFA 클럽월드컵 SNS캡쳐 |
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They have already clashed once with 'Korean Derby'. They met in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. At that time, Kim Min-jae was in good condition. Kim Min-jae even scored the winning goal. Lee Kang-in was replaced in the second half and played for 15 minutes. As a result, it was Kim Min-jae's victory.
If the Korean Derby between Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in is completed for the second time this time, attention is being paid to who will be the winner. The two teams will compete in the quarterfinals at 1 a.m. on July 6 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
