Lee Jae-sung (Ulsan, 10-8-1992) is far from being one of the most high-profile footballers in the Bundesliga. He is, rather, as the official account of Mainz 05 reflects, a “silent leader”, but a leader nonetheless.
It’s not saying anything. The South Korean international -94 games, 13 goals- 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 scoring 8 goals and distributing 11 assists.
Lee Jae-sung’s performance graph.Driblab
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 member of the Second Division, he began to establish himself as Bayern’s ‘kryptonite’. 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 match, scored the fourth.
It was their best season (at a collective level) in Kiel: they reached the Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history – they lost against Borussia Dortmund – and competed in 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, he joined Mainz on a free transfer, with whom he has played 111 games, 22 goals and 14 assists. At the MEWA Arena he has continued to expand his status as Bayern’s ‘black beast’.
He ended Bayern’s undefeated record
Lee Jae-Sung started 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 he put an end to Kompany’s invincibility, which had accumulated 13 league games without losing, with 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 put ‘the ground in between’ with a great maneuver in the 60th minute: he received from Sieb, controlled with his right and scored with a left foot on the 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,” confessed Lee, who covered 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: he has accumulated 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 ‘promotion’ of Mainz, seventh with 22 points. “My dream is to play in Europe,” confesses the former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors player, who has a contract until 2026.
Lee Jae-sung’s Expected Goals and Non-Penalty Goals 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.
