Lee Kang-in Atletico Madrid playing time Simeone, Digi Mart USA News: Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid, responded uncomfortably to questions about the playing time of Lee Kang-in, 25, and emphasized that his decisions are based on his judgment and the reasons behind each player’s minutes.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported on the 8th (Korea time) that Simeone was asked about the playing time of Lee Kang-in and Jonathan David at a press conference ahead of the match against Barcelona. Simeone responded to criticism that the two players’ minutes have recently decreased by asking, “How little are they playing?
What, exactly, is the ideal amount of playing time in minutes?”
He added, “I think players are playing as much as they can have a positive impact on the team. It is only natural to help players perform at their best in their respective positions.” While disagreeing that their playing time is low, he stressed that the choices are aimed at improving the players’ performance.
Lee Kang-in left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last summer and joined Atletico Madrid. He has so far recorded 2 goals and 1 assist in La Liga this season.
However, he has not recently been given starting opportunities, and he began on the bench in Atletico’s fourth group-stage match of the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich on the 4th, coming on as a second-half substitute for about 30 minutes.
Simeone said it is more important whether a player can contribute to the team than whether each player’s playing time is appropriate. The match against Barcelona is expected to be a new opportunity for Lee Kang-in.
Atletico will host Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, at 5 a.m. on the 9th in a 2026-2027 La Liga round 12 match.
Atletico currently sits second in the league with 28 points, two behind leader Barcelona with 30 points. A win would lift Atletico to 31 points and past Barcelona into first place.
Because of the stakes, attention is also focused on Simeone’s starting selections.
Mundo Deportivo predicted several changes to the lineup compared with the Bayern match, writing, “Koke and Lee Kang-in are likely to start instead of Romain Le Normand and Alexander Sørloth.” If the prediction is correct, Lee Kang-in would get a starting opportunity against Barcelona.
Simeone also expressed caution about the match, saying, “Matches against Barcelona are always tough and difficult fights. We must play the game in a way that can threaten the opponent.”
After the Barcelona match, Lee Kang-in is expected to join the South Korea national soccer team. Led by interim manager Robert Moreno, South Korea will play two friendlies in Qatar during the November international window: against Saudi Arabia (ranked 55th) at 11:30 p.m.
on the 13th and against Qatar (ranked 60th) at 11 p.m. on the 17th.
South Korea is ranked 32nd by FIFA.
When asked about playing time, Simeone said there was no problem with his choices. Attention now turns to what Lee Kang-in can show in the important matchup against Barcelona.
