Lee Kang-in vs. Kim Min-jae: UCL Clash Before National Team Duty

Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, two of South Korea's biggest football stars, are set to face off as rivals on the UEFA Champions League (UCL) stage in a highly anticipated showdown. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in and Bayern Munich's rock-solid defender Kim Min-jae will clash on November 5th (Korean time) in a UCL group stage match, promising an intense battle for their respective clubs.

PSG and Bayern Munich will meet at 5:00 AM (Korean time) on the 5th at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France, for the 4th round of the 2025-26 UCL league phase. This match is expected to be a crucial turning point for both teams in their quest to advance from the group stage. For Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae, in particular, it represents an opportunity to showcase their skills on Europe's biggest stage ahead of the national team call-up.

Lee Kang-in, a key midfielder orchestrating PSG's attack, must dismantle the opponent's defense with his creative passes and sharp dribbling. Kim Min-jae, leading Munich's defense, must use his outstanding defensive skills and powerful physique to contain Lee Kang-in and neutralize PSG's offensive threats.

PSG achieved a historic quadruple last season, winning their first-ever UCL title, along with the French Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions. Lee Kang-in played a pivotal role as a key member of the team, significantly contributing to their success. His brilliant performance in the final, in particular, drew praise from football fans around the world.

Lee Kang-in, with his exceptional technique, creative playmaking, and accurate kicking, is a vital cog in PSG's attack. He has continued his impressive form in the UCL this season, driving the team's momentum forward. Notably, he scored a stunning free-kick goal in the 3rd group stage match, leading his team to victory.

Bayern Munich has demonstrated overwhelming dominance since the start of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, winning all nine of their matches. Munich has also secured three consecutive wins in the UCL, establishing themselves as a strong contender for the title. Under the guidance of manager Julian Nagelsmann, Munich is displaying near-perfect organization in both attack and defense.

Munich is also on a 15-game unbeaten streak in official matches, including two consecutive DFB Pokal wins and one German Super Cup victory. This dominant performance is attributed to the solid defense anchored by Kim Min-jae and the harmonious blend of the new attacking line that has replaced Robert Lewandowski.

Kim Min-jae, a key defender for Munich, has greatly contributed to the team's winning streak. He recently stated in an interview, "I am very happy to have joined Munich. I will do my best with my teammates to win the UCL."

Kim Min-jae has established himself as a cornerstone of Munich's defense with his exceptional defensive abilities, powerful physique, and excellent positioning skills. He contributes significantly to the team's victories with his solid defense and excellent build-up play. His tackle success rate is among the highest in the league.

Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in have already faced each other in the 5th match of the 2024-25 UCL league phase. While Munich won that match 3-1 against PSG, both players played the full game and delivered outstanding performances. Lee Kang-in threatened Munich's goal with a sharp shot in that match, while Kim Min-jae effectively contained PSG's attack with his solid defense.

This match is attracting even more attention as it takes place just before the South Korean national team's call-up. Both players will be eager to showcase their skills to the fullest extent in their last match before joining the national team, aiming to leave a lasting impression on coach Jürgen Klinsmann.

Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae also play key roles in the national team. Lee Kang-in leads the team's attack as an attacking midfielder with his creative passes and sharp kicking, while Kim Min-jae anchors the defense as a central defender with his outstanding defensive skills and powerful physique. The two players have also displayed excellent chemistry in the national team, illuminating the future of South Korean football.

Football fans are keenly interested in the performances of both players and the outcome of the team's match in this UCL game. Online communities are flooded with various predictions and messages of support for the two players and their teams. Fans are expressing their anticipation for the game, debating whether "Lee Kang-in's creative play can penetrate Kim Min-jae's impenetrable defense" or "whether Kim Min-jae can completely neutralize Lee Kang-in."

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain has been showing some signs of weakness in recent league games, making this match against Munich an important opportunity to turn the tide. PSG has drawn their last two matches, putting their leading position at risk. Manager Christophe Galtier is determined to win this match against Munich to revitalize the team's atmosphere.

Bayern Munich is aiming for victory in this match based on their powerful offense and solid defense. Despite Robert Lewandowski's departure, Munich has become even more formidable with the addition of new attacking talents such as Sadio Mané and Serge Gnabry. Munich is expected to focus on containing Lee Kang-in and neutralizing PSG's attack.

This match is crucial for advancing to the UCL knockout stage. The winning team can secure a favorable position in the group standings and increase their chances of reaching the round of 16. The losing team will have to face more pressure in the remaining matches. Both teams are expected to go all out in this game.

Lee Kang-in and Kim Min-jae will do their best to prove their skills and win for their respective teams. The performance of the two players will instill pride in South Korean football fans. This match is expected to be an opportunity to elevate the status of South Korean football.

The South Korean national football team is scheduled to play in the World Cup Asian regional qualifiers in November. Detailed call-up schedules can be found on the Korea Football Association website.