Rennes: Kang-In Lee, Luis Enrique’s perfect joker

Winger, wide midfielder, number 10 and now false number 9… Since the start of the season, Kang-In Lee (23 years old) has occupied different positions within the Parisian collective. The effectiveness remains the same. Scorer on the first day against HAC, the former Mallorca player did it again the following week during the Rouge et Bleu’s offensive performance against Montpellier. Once again convincing against Brest and Reims, the native of Incheon also made an impactful entry during the clash against Girona (1-0) on the first day of the Champions League. A significant performance then pushing Luis Enrique to start him on the front of the Ile-de-France attack, this Friday evening, against Stade Rennais.

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Kang-In Lee was everywhere!

Preferred over Randal Kolo Muani, on the bench at kick-off, the 1m73 left-hander ultimately did not tremble despite an unusual position. In a role of false number 9, the number 19 of the reigning French champions above all proved to his coach that he could represent a reliable alternative in the absence of Marco Asensio and Gonçalo Ramos, currently injured. Available for his partners, involved defensively and inspired in his transmissions, Lee simply disgusted the Rennes defense, in great pain in the den of the capital club. Interesting in his game with his back to goal and his discounts, like this first relay with Ousmane Dembélé offering a boulevard to the French international (6th), the X factor of PSG also shone with his mobility.

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Author of numerous stalls – unbalancing the Rennes bloc and at the same time enlightening the Parisian game – Lee also did not hesitate to rezone to bring danger. Technically, like his multiple polished crosses, the one who sees his contract run until June 2028 has continued to impress. Without the ball, he made a series of relevant calls and movements to create space. With the ball, he distilled the caviars and tried his luck. A major performance finally rewarded upon returning from the locker room. Opportunistic after a curling shot from Bradley Barcola repelled by the SRFC post, Lee – a surface fox – made the break with a diving header (58th).

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Luis Enrique is won over

Unstoppable, the South Korean international (30 caps, 9 goals), credited with a 7.5 by the FM editorial team, stood out again by cleverly letting the leather pass between his legs to allow Fabian Ruiz to arm a new strike, finally deflected by Mandanda (61st). Valuable as a fixation point, he was also not frightened by the Breton rearguard despite a less imposing size than his direct opponents (7 duels won out of 11 contested, 8 small balls lost, 5 recovered). Solid on his supports and fair in his controls, Lee – placed back in the heart of the game after the entry into play of Kolo Muani (69th) – finally, fully participated in the defensive performance of his team. A first pressing which continued to disturb Julien Stéphan’s men, overwhelmed in all sectors… A masterclass logically greeted by his coach, Luis Enrique, at the final whistle.

“He’s such a versatile player. With an incredible quality for our football: he does not lose the ball, despite the pressure. He played false number 9 but with a lot of freedom. He was exceptional. He was able to score a goal like a smart striker, taking the rebound. He had a great match. He has the ability to pass, to shoot. I am delighted with this very complete match”underlined the Spaniard in particular. “We prepared the match to win it, and we are delighted with this success. We played together, everyone helped each other, everyone attacked, defended, and put themselves at the service of the collective. We are a real team and that’s the most important thing”for his part assured the person concerned at the microphone of DAZN. One thing is certain, with such performances, Kang-In Lee is emerging today as a serious contender for the Parisian starting lineup. It now remains to be seen whether Luis Enrique will decide to repeat this happy experience against Arsenal next Tuesday, on the second day of the Champions League.