Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) played the full game for the team despite suffering from a severe cold. Coach Vincent Kompany (38) is troubled about whether he can force Kim Min-jae to play.
The German media 'TZ' noted on the 1st (Korean time) that 'Kompany is troubled by serious injury problems in the Munich defense. He has fallen into the "Kim Min-jae dilemma,"' adding that 'Kim Min-jae's physical condition is not perfect but he is still participating in the matches. It is a risky situation.'
He added that 'Kim Min-jae must continue to play. Despite the persistent (Achilles tendon) pain, there is no time to rest until the end of the season. Coach Kompany has no choice but to force Kim Min-jae to participate due to the lack of defensive resources from injuries.'
Bayern Munich is preparing for their 34th Bundesliga title this season and matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League quarterfinals on the 8th and 16th. The club's defensive situation is serious ahead of these important matches. Left-back Alphonso Davies is expected to be out for about seven months due to a right knee ligament tear, and center back Dayot Upamecano will be out for several weeks due to a problem with loose bodies in his left knee. Additionally, Hiroki Ito's injury has compounded the issue.
Having not been called up to the Korean national team for the March international matches due to an Achilles tendon injury, Kim Min-jae can participate in matches, but his physical condition is not 100%. However, with fellow defenders fully sidelined due to injuries, he is in a situation where he has no choice but to play in almost all remaining matches for Bayern Munich.
'TZ' reported that 'according to insiders, Kim Min-jae's Achilles tendon condition has somewhat improved but he is far from fully recovered,' noting that 'nonetheless, Kim Min-jae must continue to play. Despite the persistent pain, he has no time to rest until the end of the season. For Coach Kompany, this is also an unavoidable choice.'
On the 29th of last month, Kim Min-jae played the full match against St. Pauli in the Bundesliga (3-2 victory), forming a center-back pairing with Eric Dier and managing to bring a smile to Coach Kompany, who looked grim amid the injury crisis.
It turned out that Kim Min-jae's condition during the St. Pauli match was quite poor. 'TZ' reported that 'at the time, Kim Min-jae was suffering from a severe cough and a cold. He was also complaining of back pain.' However, without Kim Min-jae, there were no players available to partner with Dier as center-backs, and Coach Kompany had no choice but to go ahead with Kim Min-jae. Amidst the 'overuse,' Kim Min-jae played the entire match.
'TZ' commented that 'Kim Min-jae is in immediate need of rest,' stating that 'as a result, Kompany and the coaching staff are in a dilemma. They are wondering whether to deploy the slow-footed Eric Dier and Josip Stanisic or to use Kim Min-jae despite the risk. If Kim Min-jae were to be sidelined for an extended period, it would be the worst-case scenario, especially in the Champions League.'
He also projected that 'to ease the defensive burden, Kompany may opt to use the determined defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha in the next match.'
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