Spanish media outlets have strongly criticized Liverpool’s aggressive tactics against Atlético Madrid midfielder Lee Kang-in during a recent UEFA Champions League fixture. Reports highlight a series of rough challenges and questionable officiating that significantly impacted Lee’s performance and led to his early substitution.
Foul Play Against Lee Kang-in Detailed
The Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Liverpool players employed excessively rough play against Lee Kang-in in their Champions League clash. The article specifically pointed out a series of fouls, including one by Liverpool’s Brazilian defender, Fabrício Bruno, which the publication suggested effectively ended Lee’s participation in the match.
Lee Kang-in started the match at Anfield as a partner to Julián Álvarez in Atlético Madrid’s attack. However, his involvement was cut short in the 59th minute when he was substituted for forward Ángel Correa. The game, part of the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase, saw Atlético initially take the lead but ultimately fall 2-1 to Liverpool.
Mundo Deportivo emphasized Lee’s crucial role in Atlético’s early dominance. The South Korean international was instrumental in supporting teammates Koke and Álvaro Morata, helping his team control possession and score the opening goal. Atlético had taken the lead in the 17th minute through a goal from Marcos Llorente.
Questionable Officiating Under Scrutiny
The Spanish publication alleged that Liverpool players, aware of Lee’s importance, deliberately resorted to harsh tactics. This approach, the report claimed, was facilitated by what it described as lenient refereeing from Italian official Daniele Massa and the VAR team, led by Marco Bellò.
The report detailed several incidents:
- In the 28th minute, Liverpool’s left-back, Andy Robertson, committed a strong tackle on Lee Kang-in while the latter was attempting to win a loose ball. Despite a VAR review, only a yellow card was issued.
- Shortly after, Virgil van Dijk tackled Lee from behind near the sideline, dislodging the ball. The referee did not even award a foul for this incident.
- Minutes later, a similar situation occurred when Dominik Szoboszlai made a rough challenge on Lee, striking him in the face. Lee protested the lack of a call, but neither the referee nor the VAR officials intervened.
Ian Doyle, a journalist for the Liverpool-based publication Liverpool Echo, also commented on the situation, noting that Lee Kang-in faced a scenario where his career could have been jeopardized by the challenge from Szoboszlai, yet he managed to continue playing.
Impact on the Match and Lee’s Performance
Mundo Deportivo concluded that these repeated physical assaults contributed to a decline in Lee Kang-in’s effectiveness on the field. This led Atlético manager Diego Simeone to make the substitution in the 59th minute. Lee left the pitch alongside Koke, with Correa and Saúl Ñíguez coming on as replacements.
The aggressive strategy against Lee appeared to be successful for Liverpool. They overturned the deficit with a goal from Szoboszlai in the 40th minute and a late winner from Robertson in the second half. Notably, Lee Kang-in’s pressure in the attacking third led to the turnover that resulted in Szoboszlai’s equalizer.
Atlético Madrid, disrupted by Lee’s early departure and the overall physical nature of the game, struggled to regain control. They conceded the decisive goal and were unable to find an equalizer in the remaining time, ultimately losing 2-1.
Lee Kang-in’s Statistics and Overall Assessment
Despite the limited playing time and the challenges faced, Lee Kang-in recorded 37 touches, one key pass, and an 89% pass completion rate (25 successful passes out of 28 attempts). He also contributed with one tackle, five ball recoveries, three successful ground duels, and drew two fouls while committing one himself.
The report suggests that Lee was unable to fully display his attacking capabilities due to Liverpool’s intense pressing and physical approach. His performance rating from SofaScore was 6.5, reflecting a difficult night for both the player and his team.
The match was described as a nightmarish experience for both Lee Kang-in and Atlético Madrid, marked by physical duels and a disappointing result.
