Lee Kang-in don reach level where im presence dey change Atlético Madrid match time. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report say Atlético Madrid away match against Espanyol for RCDE Stadium go kick off by 2pm local time, and that one na 9pm Korean time on Saturday, 17th. Na first time this season Atlético Madrid go play match by 2pm. Before now, dem earliest kickoff against Real Madrid, Deportivo Alavés and Athletic Club na 4:15pm.
For Korean fans, the time dey sweet. 2pm for Spain na 9pm for Korea, so fans no need wait till late night to watch European football. Since Lee Kang-in join Atlético Madrid, the club Korean market importance grow more. Even before e sign, Atlético Madrid dey work to raise brand value for Korea: BTS member Suga appear on stage wearing the club 2026-2027 season kit, and the club face Manchester City during mini tour for Korea. Dem announce Lee Kang-in signing for Gwanghwamun Square for Seoul, and Korean fans attention follow am.
After Lee Kang-in arrive, interest in Atlético Madrid for Korea increase. More Korean fans dey visit club home stadium, Metropolitano, and demand for club jerseys for Asian market dey rise, according to the outlet. Local fans also rate Lee Kang-in well; dem see am as important player and give im playing style high marks. The outlet talk say Lee Kang-in don appear for 10 matches this season, score 2 goals and provide 1 assist, and im impactful plays pass everybody for the team.
For the Espanyol game, manager Diego Simeone go use 4-4-2 and Lee Kang-in go start. Lee Kang-in go form midfield with Pablo Barrios, Morten Hjulmand and Giuliano Simeone. Jonathan David and Ademola Lookman go lead attack, while Dani Martinez, David Hancko, Cristian Romero and Marc Pubill go make back four, with Jan Oblak for goal. Even though Atlético Madrid dey prepare for away Champions League match against Stuttgart on 21st, report say Lee Kang-in go start unchanged because coaching staff trust am.
Atlético Madrid dey second for La Liga with 19 points from six wins, one draw and one loss. Barcelona dey top with 24 points, so gap na five points. Espanyol dey 12th with 8 points from two wins, two draws and four losses, and dem no win for three games, with one draw and two losses. Atlético Madrid beat Deportivo Alavés 2-1 for previous league round and also beat Manchester United for Champions League. For that Manchester United match on 14th, Lee Kang-in set up the opening goal just one minute after kickoff.
Lee Kang-in still get one personal target: im third league goal of the season. Reports note say e never add attacking point for club for about one month since e score against Osasuna on 18th last month. Dem also point out say im never record attack point in five matches against Spanish opponents during im time for Valencia and Mallorca, and report dey expect am to break that jinx and score against Espanyol.
