On a charged Saturday night at Bilbao’s iconic Estadio San Mamés, all eyes were on Lee Kang-in as Atlético Madrid clashed with Athletic Bilbao in the fourth round of the 2026-27 La Liga season. The Korean playmaker, fresh from a dazzling run of form, was handed a third consecutive start by manager Diego Simeone, signaling the Argentine coach’s growing trust in his new midfield maestro. But what began with promise and early excitement would soon unravel into Atlético’s first defeat of the campaign, a 0-3 setback that sent shockwaves through their previously undefeated run.
Lee Kang-in’s journey to this pivotal night has been nothing short of remarkable. After a summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, the 25-year-old wasted no time making his mark in Spain’s top flight. His debut for Atlético was a dream—coming off the bench against Malaga on August 20, 2026, Lee netted a brilliant left-footed goal, earning him both the match MVP and a nomination for La Liga’s Goal of the Month. Spanish outlets like AS and ElDesmarque were effusive in their praise, with AS describing Lee as part of a “fantastic midfield diamond” and hailing his freedom and creativity on the right flank.
That momentum carried into the following fixtures. Lee started against Villarreal, playing 67 minutes in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, and then against Sevilla on August 30, where he delivered a pinpoint assist to Alex Baena for the opening goal in Atlético’s 3-1 triumph. His pass success rate of 94%, three successful dribbles, and seven ball duels won in that match earned him a stellar 8.0 rating from the analytics site FootMob. The Spanish press quickly declared him a key figure in Atlético’s attacking plans, and fans responded in kind—Lee’s jersey sales soared to 30,000 units, topping the club’s retail charts and boosting Atlético’s profile in the Asian market. According to Relevo, “Lee Kang-in’s arrival filled a missing piece in Atlético’s push into the Asian market, while his technical skills and creativity in tight spaces have already made a difference on the pitch.”
Heading into the Bilbao showdown, Atlético Madrid were riding high: two wins and a draw from their opening three matches, seven points, and a seat among La Liga’s frontrunners. The squad had just dismantled Sevilla with a first-half blitz, and Simeone saw little reason to tinker with a winning formula. Local media speculated that “Simeone will maintain the starting lineup that showcased the club’s best opening 30 minutes in years against Sevilla,” with Lee, Baena, Barrios, and Lookman expected to “produce more magical moments.”
The match itself began with a flash of Lee’s brilliance. In just the third minute, he found space on the right, received a sharp pass from Barrios, deftly sidestepped his marker, and unleashed a curling shot that rattled the left post—so close to a dream start. Moments later, Lee’s vision nearly produced a goal for Baena, whose shot was denied by Athletic’s vigilant keeper Unai Simón. Atlético pressed with intent, but Athletic’s high-octane pressing and physicality kept the visitors on edge.
Lee’s influence was evident throughout the first half. He orchestrated attacks, delivered a clever turning pass to Baena in the 24th minute, and tested Simón with a trademark left-footed effort just before halftime. Yet, frustration crept in. At the 39th minute, Lee was shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Yuri Berchiche—his first caution of the season. Despite the early chances, the opening 45 minutes ended scoreless, with both sides locked in a tactical chess match.
Simeone’s tactical setup featured a 4-4-2 formation, with Lee and Alex Baena leading the line in a strikerless “false nine” system. The midfield comprised Alex Baena, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, and Giuliano Simeone, while the back four saw Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, and Alejandro Grimaldo protecting Jan Oblak in goal. Notably, Julian Alvarez—whose future had been the subject of transfer rumors—was included on the bench, with Simeone stating before the match, “I expect his best performance.”
The second half, however, brought a dramatic shift. Athletic Bilbao came out firing, and within a minute, Nico Williams capitalized on a deflected shot to head home the opener. Two minutes later, Robert Navarro doubled the lead with a slick finish past Oblak, leaving Atlético reeling. The quick-fire double stunned Simeone’s men and forced the manager’s hand. At the 59th minute, Lee was replaced by Julian Alvarez, part of a flurry of changes as Atlético chased a comeback. But the hosts weren’t finished—Oihan Sancet added a third in stoppage time, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Athletic and handing Atlético their first loss of the season.
“Lee Kang-in showed his trademark flair, hitting the post early and creating several chances, but it just wasn’t our night,” said one Spanish commentator as the final whistle blew. For Lee, the evening was a mix of near-misses and frustration—his early shot off the post and creative playmaking could easily have changed the game’s complexion, but luck and Bilbao’s defense held firm.
Despite the defeat, Lee’s impact on Atlético Madrid remains a talking point across Spain. His technical brilliance, adaptability, and marketability have made him a fan favorite and a central figure in Simeone’s evolving lineup. The team, now with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss (7 points), slipped to seventh in the standings—a setback, but not a crisis.
For Lee Kang-in, the challenge now is to regroup and continue his impressive adaptation to La Liga’s demands. With a Champions League showdown against Liverpool looming, Atlético’s focus quickly shifts to European ambitions. Simeone will be hoping that Lee’s creativity and drive can help spark a response, both in Spain and on the continent.
As the dust settles in Bilbao, one thing is clear: Lee Kang-in’s journey with Atlético Madrid is only just beginning. Fans in Spain and Korea alike will be watching closely as he looks to bounce back, chase more goals and assists, and cement his place among La Liga’s elite. The season is long, and with Lee in the fold, Atlético’s story promises plenty more drama ahead.