Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) displayed poor performance.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 in the 29th round of the 2024-2025 Bundesliga, called "Der Klassiker," held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 13th (Korea time).

With this draw, Bayern maintained 69 points (21 wins, 6 draws, 2 losses) and held the top spot in the league. On the same day, Bayer Leverkusen drew against Union Berlin, maintaining a 6-point gap between the two teams. Bayern could have widened the point gap to 8 if they had defeated Dortmund, leaving a sense of regret regarding the result.

Kim Min-jae started but was substituted around the 9th minute of the second half, playing for about 54 minutes. It appears to be a measure for managing his stamina ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Inter Milan, which will be held on the 17th.

Bayern operated in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jonas Urbig defended the goal, with the defense consisting of Konrad Laimer, Kim Min-jae, Eric Dier, and Joshua Stanišić. In the midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka played, while the second line included Michael Olise, Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané. Harry Kane led the front line.

Dortmund faced Bayern in a 3-5-2 formation. Gregor Kobel was the goalkeeper, while the defense was comprised of Waldemar Anton, Emre Can, and Niklas Süle. In the midfield, Salih Özcan, Julian Brandt, and Pascal Groß were positioned, and the left and right flanks were covered by Daniel Svensson and Julian Ryerson. The attack was led by Seru Girasi and Maximilian Wöber.

In the early stages of the match, Dortmund took the initiative. In the 7th minute of the first half, Julian Brandt attempted a shot utilizing the half-space but hit the side netting. In the 11th minute, Müller received a pass from Stanišić and attempted a shot, but it went wide of the goal. Three minutes later, Müller attempted a long-range shot, but it also did not lead to a goal.

In the 19th minute of the first half, Sané's shot went straight to Kobel, the goalkeeper. Shortly after, Olise's cross was headed by Kane, but it was also blocked by Kobel's save. The first half ended with both teams creating multiple offensive opportunities, but no goals were scored.

Dortmund took the lead early in the second half. In the 3rd minute of the second half, Beyer shook the net with a header, bringing the score to 1-0.

Bayern then strengthened its attack. In the 14th minute of the second half, Kane's shot just missed the goalpost, and in the 18th minute, Pavlovic and Gnabry were substituted for Sané and Goretzka to change the dynamics.

The effects of the substitutions were immediate. In the 21st minute of the second half, Gnabry, who broke through on the left flank, passed to Müller, who laid the ball back, allowing Gehaiyu to equalize with a right-footed shot. Then, in the 24th minute, Gnabry dribbled past the opposing defense from the halfway line and added a goal with his right foot, putting Bayern ahead 2-1.

However, Dortmund immediately retaliated. In the 25th minute of the second half, during a corner kick situation, Urbig saved Girasi's scissors kick, but Anton pushed the loose ball into the net, leveling the score at 2-2.

Until the end of the match, both teams engaged in intense exchanges. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Gehaiyu's volley shot was saved by Kobel, and in the 35th, Müller's shot was blocked by the defense. Subsequently, Müller was substituted for Kingsley Coman.

Dortmund created a decisive opportunity in the 44th minute of the second half but failed to finish. Battsuka received a long pass and had a one-on-one chance, but his looping shot went wide of the goal. The match ended as is.

On that day, Kim Min-jae recorded 3 interceptions, 3 clearances, 3 recoveries, 3 duels won, and 1 tackle. He had a success rate of 94% on a total of 45 passes and made one key pass that led to a scoring opportunity.

However, he clearly left a regretful moment by missing Beyer in the instance leading to the goal. After the match, Kim Min-jae received scores of 6.4 from Sofascore and 6.3 from Footmob, marking the lowest rating among his team's defenders. The German media outlet Spox gave him 5 points, noting, "There was a clear mistake in the play leading to the goal," while Abendzeitung also attributed the same score, stating, "There was no noticeable performance."

The media outlet "Ran" commented that "concentration lapses have been recurring," resulting in a low score, while "TZ" explained, "Despite participating amidst a cold and Achilles pain, there were many mistakes in positioning selections."

After the match, Bayern's Director General, Max Eberl, expressed regret in an interview with Sky Sports Germany, saying, "Kim Min-jae, who was successfully following Girasi, likely realizes the mistake made during the goal scene."

The upcoming UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Inter Milan is a critical moment that will determine Bayern's season. Kim Min-jae's recovery and rebound are urgently needed at this point.

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