‘Soccer genius’ Lee Kang-in is in danger of being eliminated in the UCL quarterfinals… PSG loses 2-3 to Barcelona

France’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)’s ‘football genius’ Lee Kang-in (23) is in danger of being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League (UCL). In the first leg of the quarterfinals, they were on the field for 61 minutes, but were unable to create an offensive point, and PSG allowed a 2-3 comeback loss to Spain’s prestigious Barcelona.

PSG lost 2-3 to Barcelona in the first leg of the 2023-2024 season Champions League quarterfinals held at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 11th (Korean time). PSG, who suffered a painful come-from-behind defeat ahead of the second away game on the 17th, was given a red light on advancing to the semifinals. PSG advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in three seasons since the 2020-2021 season.

Lee Kang-in, who started as a midfielder on this day, was on the pitch for 61 minutes until the 16th minute of the second half, but failed to increase attack points. Lee Kang-in, who is recording 1 goal and 1 assist in the UCL this season, still left a deep impression by serving as the starting point for a comeback goal in the 6th minute of the second half.

PSG gave up the momentum by giving up the first goal to Barcelona’s Rafinha in the 37th minute of the first half. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was unable to accurately clear a cross from the side, and Rafinha did not miss the opportunity and scored.

PSG, who ended the first half down 0-1, turned the tide early in the second half. Three minutes into the second half, Ousmane Dembele scored the equalizer, and three minutes later, Vitinha scored the comeback goal.

Starting with Lee Kang-in’s pass, Fabian Lewis connected with an infiltration pass that led to Vitinya. Lee Kang-in was substituted in the 16th minute of the second half when the team was ahead 2-1.

However, coincidentally, Lee Kang-in allowed an equalizer 1 minute after his departure, giving the game back control. Barcelona’s Rafinha scored PSG’s second goal with a left-footed shot from Pedri’s pass.

Barcelona gained momentum and Andreas Christensen scored the winning goal with a header from a corner kick set piece in the 32nd minute of the second half. Footmob, a soccer statistics media, gave Lee Kang-in a rating of 7 points. Lee Kang-in recorded 2 effective shots and 3 opportunity creations on this day.

Meanwhile, on this day, Atletico Madrid (Spain) won 2-1 in the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals against Borussia Dortmund (Germany), increasing their chances of advancing to the semifinals.

Reporter Jang Han-seo [email protected]

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