There was no ball behind “Monster Defender” Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich).
Kim Min-jae supported his team’s 1-0 victory in the fourth home game of the European Champions League (UCL) league phase of 2024-2025 season against Benfica at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on the 7th (Korea time).
Munich, which had previously fallen to the bottom after losing to Aston Villa (0-1 loss) and Barcelona (1-4 loss), jumped to 17th place with six points with the victory.
Munich’s defense, led by Kim Min-jae, won four consecutive scoreless games after the match against Barcelona, following Bochum (5-0 win), Mainz (4-0 win), and Union Berlin (3-0 win).
Kim Min-jae stood out by far. Kim had a success rate of 100 percent (six successes), six tackles, three clearings, and one interception, while his pass rate was surprisingly 100 percent (113 successes). The long ball pass was accurately delivered to a teammate of his own.
Benfica, who only played defense throughout the half-court game, recorded only one shot. Even that was a shot that Orkun Kökchou attempted at the half-line. Munich had 24 shooters. It was surprising that the score ended 1-0.
Coach Bang Sang-Kongpani Munich took Harry Kane as one-top and formed the second line of attack with Michael Olyse, Jamal Musiala, and Serge Navri. Jojua Kimmich and João Palinha will form the midfield, while Konrad Reimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Alfonso Davis will serve as the four backs. Manuel Neuer is wearing goalie gloves.
Kim Min-jae confronted Benfica attack duo Kerem Akturkolu and Zecki Amduni. There was no gap. In the counterattack situation, Kim Min-jae appeared and cut the ball without fail. In the 17th minute of the first half, he pushed Akturkolu near the half line to take the ball away. 스포츠토토
The focus of the match was on whether Munich, which occupied the ball, would be able to penetrate goalkeeper Anatoly Troubin. Munich repeatedly knocked on the goalpost with Kane at the center, but repeatedly missed the chance. Troubin displayed “man of the match” by recording a total of nine saves.
The goal was finally opened in the 22nd minute of the second half. Mussiala pushed the ball back to the header after Kane connected Leroy Sane’s cross to the right side, which was replaced in the second half.
Kim Min-jae also showed strong performance in the second half, just like his nickname “Tomchomjae.” Benfica put in Angel Di Maria in the second half, but Munich’s defense didn’t budge. Notably, he blocked the opponent’s counterattack with a perfect tackle right before scoring the first goal. Munich won 1-0.