[Sports Chosun Reporter Lee Hyeon-seok] Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Lee Kang-in came on as a substitute and PSG won the league again.
PSG won 4-1 against AS Monaco in the 21st round of the 2024-2025 Ligue 1 season held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 8th (Korean time).
The home team PSG lined up in a 3-4-3 formation. Hvica Kvaratshelya, Ousmane Dembele, and Bradley Barcola were the three top players. The midfield consisted of Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Desiree Doué. The three backs consisted of Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, and Marquinhos. Gianluigi Donnarumma was in goal. Lee Kang-in, who played the full game in the last match, was named as a substitute.
The away team Monaco faced with a 4-4-2 formation. Up front were Mika Bieres and Brel Embolo, and in the midfield were Takumi Minamino, Denis Zakaria, Sungutu Magasa, and Magnez Aklioux. The defense was made up of Cao Henrique, Christian Majsa, Thilo Kehrer, and Van der Son. The goalkeeper gloves were worn by Radoslaw Majeecki.
From the first half, the two teams traded attacks and knocked on each other’s goal. In the 5th minute of the first half, Minamino received a pass from Akliosz from the right side of the penalty box in a counterattack situation, creating a golden opportunity, but the shot was not powerful enough and ended up being blocked.
The team that took the lead with the first goal was PSG. In the 6th minute of the first half, they won a free kick relatively far from the penalty box, and Vitinha finished it with his right foot. The shot that curled sharply into the corner of the goal was deflected by the goalkeeper, but went into the goal.
However, Monaco also counterattacked early. In the 17th minute of the first half, Zakaria received a penetrating pass from Mawisa and advanced deep into the right side of the penalty box. Despite the narrow angle, Zakaria aimed between Donnarumma and the goal, and the ball shook the PSG goal net. Monaco could have scored another goal in the 23rd minute of the first half when Minamino received a perfect pass from Achlioux and grabbed the ball in the center of the box, but Paccio’s accurate tackle saved the day.
PSG showed concentration in both attack and defense. In the 27th minute of the first half, Barcola scored a goal after receiving a pass from Joao Neves next to the goal, but the ball was judged to have already crossed the goal line and was disallowed. In the 29th minute of the first half, Donnarumma blocked a perfect scoring opportunity from opposing striker Bieres with a tenacious attempt to save.
PSG missed the chance to take the lead. In the 35th minute of the first half, Neves’ pass flowed into the box, and Fabian put it between his legs. Barcola, who received the ball, cut back and passed the ball to his teammates in the center of the box, but unfortunately the defense was in place and cleared it. In the 38th minute of the first half, Dembele’s powerful long-range shot also went wide of the goal. In the 44th minute of the first half, Mendes accurately delivered a cross into the box, but Dembele’s first touch fell long, and the goalkeeper caught it just before he could shoot. The first half ended 1-1.
In the second half, PSG rapidly widened the gap. In the 9th minute of the second half, Hvita received a pass from Barcola in the box, calmly beat one of the opposing defenders, and attempted a shot. The ball shook the Monaco goal net. Hvita was delighted to score his first goal since joining PSG.
PSG then scored their third goal. In the 12th minute of the second half, Dembele received a pass from Doué, quickly broke through the defense, and accurately aimed for the goalkeeper and the goal post to split the goal. Dembele continued his incredible scoring streak of 12 goals in the last 7 games.
Lee Kang-in also stepped onto the ground. In the 18th minute of the second half, Barcola was taken off and Lee Kang-in and Lucas Hernandez were brought in. After being brought in, Lee Kang-in continued to contribute to the team’s offense by moving between the midfield and the flank.
PSG scored the fourth goal and secured the game. In the 45th minute of the second half, Mendes broke through the left side through a direct breakthrough. The cross attempted by Mendes hit Dembele’s foot exactly, who was rushing from the opposite side, and the ball went straight into the Monaco goal.
The match ended with PSG winning 4-1.