Paris Saint-Germain (PSG, France) coach Luis Enrique said that the player management shown in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final, including Lee Kang-in’s absence from the field, was the ‘best decision’.
PSG, led by coach Enrique, lost 0-1 to Borussia Dortmund (Germany) in the first leg of the 2024-2025 UCL semifinals held at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund, Germany on the 2nd (Korean time).
Lee Kang-in, the next generation Korean soccer star who was usually used by Coach Enrique, only stayed on the bench this time. 파워볼게임
PSG, which was dragged down after conceding a goal in the 36th minute of the first half, could have used replacement resources such as Lee Kang-in, who could creatively find offensive routes, but the only player brought in in the second half was striker Randal Colo Muani.
“As a coach, I always try to make decisions that are best for the team,” Enrique said at the post-game press conference, according to Associated Press affiliate APTN.
I think I did it.
“(Both teams) hardly lost the ball,” he said.
At the same time, he explained that he did not use replacement resources to continue the trend of the starting lineup, which was gradually improving its performance, in the second half.
Coach Enrique, who removed Lee Kang-in from the starting list that day, replaced Fabian Luis-Vitti.
A midfield line consisting of Nya-Warren and Zaire Emery was formed.
Ousmane Dembele, who is excellent at attacking players, was placed in the right-wing striker position where Lee Kang-in usually plays, and most of these players, including ace Kylian Mbappe, played until the end of the game.
Coach Enrique said, “The second half was completely different from the first half.
From a tactical perspective, nothing changed in the second half.
But the players are not machines or robots that operate when you press a button.”
He added, “In the first half, we lacked the organizational power to produce a stronger attack, but we did better in the second half without changing tactics.”
PSG, who suffered a crushing defeat in the away game, will attempt to turn things around to advance to the finals in the second home game to be played at Parc des Princes in Paris, France at 4 a.m. on the 8th.