-
ALBERTO RUBIO
Updated
lee Jae-sung (Ulsan, 8-10-1992) He is far from being one of the footballers most media in the Bundesliga. It is, rather, as reflected in the official account of the Mainz 05, a “silent leader”, but a leader nonetheless.
It’s not saying anything. The South Korean international -94 games, 13 goals- He had just won everything with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He won three Leagues (2014, 2015 and 2017) and one Champions League (2016) playing a crucial role. In fact, he was chosen ‘MVP’ of the League in 2017 after score 8 goals and distribute 11 assists.
Lee Jae-sung’s performance chart.Dribble
However, in 2018, he had no qualms about going down a ‘step’ to come to Europe: He signed for Holstein Kiel, then in the German Second Division, in exchange for 1.5 million euros. The Asian playmaker made his debut in style, distributing two assists against Hamburg (0-3).
In 2021 he kicked Bayern out of the Cup
Despite being a soldier in the Second Division, began to emerge as ‘kryptonite’ from Bayern. In his particular ‘Squid Game’, honoring his Korean roots. ‘His’ Holstein Kiel eliminated the Munich team from the 2020-21 Cup on penalties. In fact, Lee Jae-sung, who played the entire game, marked the fourth.
It was his best season (collectively) in Kiel: They reached the Cup semis for the first time in their history -they lost against Borussia Dortmund- and they played the ‘playoffs’ to be promoted to the Bundesliga. Lee assisted in the first leg and scored in the second leg, but they couldn’t beat Colonia (5-2).
That same summer, 2021, landed freely in Mainz, with which he has added 111 games, 22 goals and 14 assists. At the MEWA Arena he has continued to expand his status as ‘black beast’ of Bayern.
He ended Bayern’s undefeated record
Lee Jae-Sung was a starter in the 3-1 victory over Bayern in the 2022-23 Bundesliga. “We have to give everything, be brave and defend together, then we can win,” he announced on Friday. No sooner said than done. last saturday ended Kompany’s invincibilitywhich accumulated 13 league games without losingwith a double (2-1).
The Korean put on the mantle of ‘scorer’ after Burkardt’s injury. ‘He opened the can’ in the 41st minute by ‘chasing’ a ‘dead ball’ after a semi-miss shot by Sieb and he put ‘land in the middle’ with a great maneuver in the 60th minute: received from Sieb, controlled with his right and scored with his left foot on the half turn.
Lee Jae-sung celebrates the first goal against Bayern.EFE
“There is always a bit of luck, but achieving a double against Bayern is not easy. Now, the goals were not my only achievement. We were brave. It was exhausting, but fun,” he confessed. Lee, who traveled 11.49 kilometers.
There is always a bit of luck, but achieving a double against Bayern is not easy
Lee Jae-Sung
Four goals in five games
The former Holstein Kiel player is experiencing his best moment since he landed at Mainz: accumulates four goals and two assists in the last five games. In addition to the double against Bayern, he scored in the victories against Borussia Dortmund (3-1) and Holstein Kiel (0-3). He assisted, for his part, against Hoffenheim (2-0) and in the defeat against Wolfsburg (4-3).
His great moment explains, in part, the ‘rise’ of the Mainz, seventh with 22 points. “My dream is to play in Europe,” confesses the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who has a contract until 2026.
Lee Jae-sung’s Expected Goals and Goals without Penalties graph compared to other Bundesliga midfielders. Dribble.
“It’s crazy how he manages to be a total worker, have creative ability and reach the goal with danger”warns Niko Bungert, sporting director of the ’05ers’. The tentacles of the ‘squid’ Jae-sung do not rest. Above all, every time Bayern appears.
