Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich)'s influence remains strong. However, following the loss in the first leg, advancing to the semifinals is a challenging situation.

Bayern Munich suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat to Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg for the 2024-2025 season held at the Fußball Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 9th (Korea time).

Bayern, which called Inter Milan, currently leading the Italian Serie A, to its home ground, bowed down in the first match and now faces the pressure of needing to win the return leg away to advance to the semifinals.

On this day, Bayern started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Harry Kane was the starting striker, with Leroy Sané, Raphaël Guerreiro, and Michael Olise positioned in the attacking midfield. The midfield was managed by Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, while the defense consisted of Josip Stanišić, Eric Dier, Kim Min-jae, and Konrad Laimer. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Jonas Urbig.

In the early stages, the home team Bayern took control. With quick attacks utilizing both flanks, they pressured Inter Milan, and in the 13th minute, Olise's sharp cross was received by Kane, who connected with a shot, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Jan Sommer's superb save. Then, in the 15th minute, Olise's mid-range shot was directed straight at the goal line but was thwarted.

A decisive moment occurred in the 25th minute. After breaking through the flank, Olise provided a perfect opportunity to Kane; however, Kane's shot hit the post.

Inter Milan did not remain passive either. In the 33rd minute, Lautaro Martínez targeted the Munich backspace with a quick counterattack, but Kim Min-jae quickly covered to prevent a goal.

Soon, a goal was conceded. In the 38th minute, Augusto's cross from the left flank was deflected by Turan, and Lautaro calmly found the net. The first half ended with Inter Milan leading 1-0.

In the second half, Bayern struggled with attack coordination. The absence of Jamal Musiala, who was injured, was heavily felt, and in the 19th minute, Guerreiro's shot went wide of the goal.

In the 30th minute, coach Vincent Kompany took a gamble. He substituted Kim Min-jae, Sané, and Guerreiro for Sasa Boji, Serge Gnabry, and Thomas Müller.

This substitution quickly proved effective. In the 40th minute, Kimmich's cross was nodded down by Laimer, and Müller successfully scored, bringing the match back to level.

The joy was short-lived. In the 43rd minute, once again, the left defense was shaky. David Frattesi precisely finished Augusto's cross, allowing Inter Milan to regain the lead. In this scene, Kim Min-jae's departure disrupted the defensive organization, and Dier's slow response left room for regret.

The match ended with Bayern's 1-2 defeat, and having suffered a shocking home loss, Munich must achieve a turnaround in the away second leg to reach the semifinals.

Immediately after the match, the German media 'TZ' released the player ratings. Kim Min-jae received a rating of 3, the highest in the team. In the German rating system, 1 point is the best, and 6 points is the worst, while 3 points indicate a stable performance.

Playing for 74 minutes, Kim Min-jae completed 63 of 70 passes with a passing accuracy of 90%. Additionally, he recorded 1 block, 2 clearances, 1 interception, 3 ball recoveries, 4 ground duels won (4 lost), and 3 aerial duels won, making a significant defensive contribution.

TZ noted, "Coach Kompany could not proceed with the match without Kim Min-jae, who was suffering from symptoms of a cold and Achilles pain. He prevented two shots by Çalhanoğlu and showed strong pressure against Lautaro in the first half. However, he regrettably received a warning for a hasty tackle."

Eric Dier, who partnered with Kim Min-jae in center-back, received a rating of 4. The media analyzed, "Dier, who filled the void left by Upamecano's injury, was solid in the first half but reacted slowly in the moment that allowed Frattesi's decisive goal."

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