Lee Kang-in to debut for Atletico Madrid from the bench against Manchester City in Seoul

Lee Kang-in, the 25-year-old midfielder, is poised to make his debut for Atletico Madrid, but he will start on the bench. He is expected to be a substitute option in the friendly match against Manchester City, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The highly anticipated match is part of the '2026 Coupang Play' series. Atletico Madrid will face Manchester City, a team they have a recent history with in Seoul. The two clubs met in the same stadium in 2023, with Atletico Madrid emerging victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the game, with expectations that all 60,000 seats at the Seoul World Cup Stadium will be sold out. The presence of Lee Kang-in, a prominent South Korean player, is a significant draw for the local audience. His move to Atletico Madrid has generated considerable interest, and his debut, even from the bench, is a key moment for supporters.

Manager Diego Simeone is reportedly considering using Lee Kang-in as an "impact player" or "joker" off the bench. This suggests that Simeone sees potential for Lee to change the game's dynamics when introduced later in the match. The friendly provides a valuable opportunity for Lee to integrate with his new teammates and for Simeone to assess his squad against a top-tier opponent.