Lee Kang-in failed to shine in his first appearance on the ‘Stage of the Stars’ since his transfer. Struggling under intense defensive pressure from opponents, he inadvertently contributed to conceding goals and was substituted early, forced to watch his team’s comeback defeat.
Atlético (AT) Madrid fell 1-2 to Liverpool in their UEFA Champions League League Phase Round 1 match held at Anfield in Liverpool, UK, on the 10th (Korean time).
Lee, who started the match, partnered with Julián Álvarez in the attack. It marked his fifth consecutive start and his first Champions League appearance since joining AT Madrid. Though he frequently dropped deep to assist in build-up play, he failed to register an attacking contribution and was replaced by Alejandro Grimaldo in the 14th minute of the second half.
From the early stages, Lee and Álvarez, paired together for the first time this season, created sparkling moments. In the 5th minute, Álvarez connected with a pass from Lee but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
AT Madrid, which had warmed up effectively, took the lead. In the 17th minute, Marcos Llorente latched onto a penetrating pass from Álvarez in midfield and slotted a neat left-footed shot into the net. In the 27th minute, Álvarez’s powerful right-footed mid-range drive was denied by a goalkeeper’s ‘super save.’
Liverpool countered fiercely. In the 40th minute, they intercepted the ball in AT Madrid’s half and launched a swift counterattack. Amid a scramble in the box, Dominik Szoboszlai scored the equalizer. Coincidentally, it was Lee who lost possession in midfield, providing the catalyst for the goal. Both teams entered halftime without further scoring.
The balance was broken five minutes into the second half. Mac Allister drilled a left-footed mid-range shot past the AT Madrid goalkeeper to turn the game around. Diego Simeone, the AT Madrid manager, opted for tactical changes in the 14th minute of the second half, substituting Lee and Koke for Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman. However, the team struggled to create chances under Liverpool’s relentless pressure and suffered a 1-2 comeback defeat.
The match was grueling for Lee. He faced constant pressure from Liverpool, rarely finding opportunities. He tumbled multiple times due to tackles and rough physical challenges, even having his football come off during a slide, but the referee only issued a yellow card to Mac Allister.
According to the football statistics site ‘FootMob,’ Lee recorded a pass success rate of 89% (25/28), 0 shots, 37 ball touches, and 1 chance created, earning a match rating of 6.1—the lowest among AT Madrid’s starting players. Spanish media outlet ‘AS’ criticized, “He made a costly mistake by losing possession in the situation leading to Liverpool’s equalizer. His stamina declined as the game progressed, and he was substituted when the team needed mobility.”
Meanwhile, AT Madrid extended their losing streak to two official matches following their 0-3 defeat to Athletic Club on the 5th. They are scheduled to face Real Sociedad away in the fifth round of the league on the 14th.
jasdooit 
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