Bayern Munich coach Bang Sang Kompany still showed trust by covering for Kim Min-jae, who made a fatal mistake from the opening game.
Coach Bangsang Kompany said in an interview after the away game of the opening round of the Bundesliga 2024-2025 season against Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany on the 25th (Korea time) that he would not comment on Kim Min-jae’s big mistake.
Kompany said in a post-match broadcast interview, “The team’s mentality was really good. I don’t want to talk about Kim Min-jae’s mistakes. I want to talk about the players’ reactions. Everyone (reacted) well.”
Munich came from behind to win the opening game 3-2. Kim started the game along with Dayo Upamecano as the center defender.
Kim Min-jae, who was selected as a starter for two consecutive games following the first round of the German Football Federation (DFB) Pokal against Ulm (second division) on the 17th, faced Wolfsburg’s strikers who tried to press strongly forward.
Kim Min-jae continued the game stably, especially in the first half. There was a small pass miss in the early part of the first half, but Manuel Neuer’s cover saved the crisis.
In the 10th minute of the first half, the attack started with Kim Min-jae’s pass and even Harry Kane’s shot was connected. In the low-pressure situation, he quickly stole the ball based on his strong physical and speed.
Kim made a fatal error in the second half. In the 10th minute of the second half, Kim was blocked by Patrik Beamer while attempting a pass from the right to the rear, allowing a counterattack. He clung into the box to cover Beamer, but he failed to block the pass and allowed a come-from-behind goal from Lobro Mayer.
After committing a fatal error, Kim came under stronger pressure, but he did not falter in the following situations. However, he was substituted for Eric Dier in the 35th minute of the second half and did not play full time.
According to soccer statistics company Potmob, Kim Min-jae played for 81 minutes and recorded seven passes in the offensive area, zero successful long passes, one ball taken away, four successful aerial ball competitions, one blocking and two recoveries.
Kim Min-jae, who made a fatal mistake, could not avoid harsh criticism.
Bild, a leading German newspaper, gave Kim Min-jae five points, the lowest rating among Bayern Munich’s defenders, and criticized Kim Min-jae, saying, “There were inaccuracies in the beginning of the game, and we actually provided assist to Bimmer when he allowed a come-from-behind goal.” 토토사이트
The German version of “Kicker,” Germany’s top soccer magazine, and Sky Sports, a broadcaster, likewise rated Kim the lowest. It was because of a mistake that could have led to his team’s loss.
Another German media outlet, SPOX, said, “Bayern Munich won the opening game, but there was a big problem with its defense. Kim Min-jae made another mistake. Kim caused damage to the team. He easily lost the ball to Beamer and gave the opponent the lead,” pointing out Kim’s error.
Fans also criticized Kim Min-jae.
Looking at the fans’ reactions released by the German version of the global sports media “90min,” fans seemed to miss Diricht, who recently left for Manchester United after criticizing Kim Min-jae, saying, “Both runs are Kim Min-jae’s fault. Nonsense situation” and “I miss The Licht.”
Fans’ anger was left in the comments on Munich’s official social network service account. Fans rushed to Munich’s post and said, “We need to sell Kim Min-jae and Upamecano right away,” and added, “I’m nervous about such poor defense. Kim Min-jae loses the ball.”
However, Kompany has shown trust in Kim Min-jae. Since his inauguration as a coach, Kompany has revealed that he aims for aggressive soccer, and needs a style similar to that of Kim. Kompany trusted and has used Kim Min-jae, who prefers offensive and predictive defense, throughout the pre-season.
Then captain Manuel Neuer also defended Kim Min-jae. According to Kicker, Neuer said right after the match against Wolfsburg on the day, “Mistakes are part of the game. These mistakes are not common mistakes we make often and have not been shown in previous matches,” adding, “The opponent responded to our negligent mistakes. Anyway, the most important thing is to get three points. Maybe it is fortunate that mistakes have occurred in such a (winning) game.”
Kim Min-jae and Dayo Upamecano, who played as center back duo, drew a line of suspicion about the lack of communication.
Neuer said, “Today’s loss was nothing to do with communication. Kim Min-jae and Upamecano fully communicate at the back. Communication in a noisy stadium requires good understanding when eyes meet each other. Kim Min-jae and Upamecano can communicate like that.”
Kim Min-jae is inevitable to leave for a long time because Matthijs Duricht was transferred and another competitor Hiroki Ito and multi-resource Josip Stanisic were injured. Kim Min-jae is in a situation where he has no choice but to start right away.
Kim Min-jae, who has made frequent mistakes since the second half of last season, continued this trend from the opening game of the new season and cannot erase his anxiety, but as he played the game, it emerged as a task to restore his senses and reduce mistakes.
