Lee Kang-In Marks Debut with Goal as Atlético Madrid Defeats Málaga 2-0
Lee Kang-In made an impressive start to his Atlético Madrid career by scoring a memorable debut goal in a 2-0 victory over Málaga as the team commenced their LaLiga season on Wednesday at the Metropolitano Stadium. Alongside him, Álex Baena also showcased his talent by netting a stunning free kick, leading Diego Simeone’s side to victory with two late goals.
Celebrating the contributions of his players, Simeone remarked, “It would be unfair to single out Álex or Kang-In. Both were fantastic. They were two brilliant goals. We needed them. Málaga played a great game.” He further emphasized Lee’s potential, stating, “He’s a player who has to adapt to the demands of the game. He’s a committed player to his team.”
The match remained scoreless until the 70th minute, when Lee cut in from the right wing and curled a left-footed shot past Málaga’s goalkeeper, Alfonso Herrero, finding the far corner of the net. Baena sealed the victory just five minutes before the final whistle, executing a precise free kick that soared over the wall and nestled into the top corner.
In his post-match comments, Simeone was questioned about whether Baena could fill the void left by Antoine Griezmann’s departure at the end of the previous season. The Atlético coach stated, “I’m not looking for someone like Griezmann. Everyone is different. Álex is in a good place right now; you can see he’s playing well. We have to take advantage of that energy you get from winning a World Cup.”
The game took time to unfold, with neither side threatening the goal until Herrero made a save from Rodrigo Mendoza. After the half-time break, Atlético intensified their attack, with Ademola Lookman testing Herrero before missed opportunities by Carlos Martín, Lee, and Dávid Hancko.
Lee’s goal punctuated a strong second half for the hosts, who soon saw Hancko hit the bar shortly after. Baena’s impressive strike from just outside the penalty area capped off a well-rounded performance for Atlético Madrid, ensuring their positive start to the league campaign.
Information from PA was used in this recap.
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
