'Iron pillar' Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is suffering from injury again.
Bayern Munich will face Inter Milan in the quarterfinal second leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League at Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, at 4 a.m. (Korea time) on the 17th. Munich is in a difficult situation after losing 1-2 in the first leg at home on the 9th. To reach the semifinals, Munich needs to win by two goals or more.
Ahead of the match, Munich is in an emergency. Amidst the ongoing injuries, Kim Min-jae's condition is also not good. 'BILD' reported on the 14th that 'Kim Min-jae did not finish Monday's training and went home. The defensive line of Munich, which is already crumbling, is worried about another star defender's injury.'
Kim Min-jae made a significant mistake in the match against Dortmund on the 13th. Partnered with Eric Dier as a center-back, Kim Min-jae provided the cause for Munich's first goal conceded in the 3rd minute of the second half, showing below-expectation performance. Eventually, Kim Min-jae played only 54 minutes and was substituted for Raphael Guerreiro.
At that time, it was interpreted that Kim Min-jae was substituted due to the mistake. However, it was revealed later that Kim Min-jae's physical condition was not good. Kim Min-jae has struggled with an Achilles tendon injury since October of last year. He could not respond during the national team call-up last March due to the same injury.
'BILD' expressed concern, stating that 'Currently, the only center-back in Munich without an injury is Eric Dier. Josip Stanisic can also play as a center-back, but he has recently performed well as a left-back. If Kim Min-jae is out, Munich will be in a very difficult situation.'
Fortunately, Kim Min-jae attended and completed the final training held in Munich on the 15th. 'BILD' reported on the 15th that 'In Tuesday's final training, Kim Min-jae regained normal condition. Coach Vincent Kompany thinks it is important to rely on Kim Min-jae from start to finish in defense.'
Kim Min-jae is not at 100% condition, but he has no choice but to play for the team. Even if Kim Min-jae makes mistakes, the mere fact that he is on the field carries significance.
'BILD' commented that 'Kim Min-jae has been consistently playing as a center-back with Eric Dier in recent matches. If Kim Min-jae is absent, Coach Kompany will have to fill the weakened defense with other players. Ultimately, Kim Min-jae has no choice but to grit his teeth and play again.'
In the end, Munich is in a situation where they have no choice but to demand Kim Min-jae's fighting spirit despite his injury. Amidst this, there are claims that Munich may release him this summer due to Kim Min-jae's mistakes.
Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for 'Sky Sports Germany', reported on the 15th, 'Kim Min-jae is not considered an indispensable player at Bayern. The club does not plan to release him, but they may consider offers from other teams.'
Munich plans to sort out Kim Min-jae this summer and acquire a new center-back. However, this is still just an idea. Immediately, Munich's defense would collapse completely without Kim Min-jae. Will Kim Min-jae endure and play even when he is in pain, only to be discarded?
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