Bayern Munich players rejoice.
‘Monster defender’ Kim Min-jae (29) received good reviews from the German community despite conceding two goals. His team, Bayern Munich (Germany), also managed to win four consecutive league games.
Munich won 3-2 at home against Wolfsburg in the 18th round of the 2024~2025 German Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on the 19th (Korean time). As a result, leaders Munich succeeded in winning four consecutive league games and recorded a season record of 14 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss (45 points). They maintained a gap with 2nd Rue Leverkusen (41 points).
South Korea centre-back Kim Min-jae started and led the way to victory with his ‘partner’ Dayot Upamecano. Kim Min-jae, who missed the previous 17 rounds due to Achilles tendon and knee injuries, returned after only one game and showed stability. At full-time, he made one tackle, made three clearances and won three aerial contests.
In addition, Kim Min-jae played the role of the starting point for the first goal. With the score 0-0 in the 20th minute, Kim Min-jae calmly cut off an opponent’s long pass near the halfway line and passed it to Joshua Kimmich in front of him. Kimmich played a forward pass to Leon Goretzka, who dribbled and fired a right-footed shot into the net.
On this day, the Munich defense conceded two goals, but there was no problem in securing the victory. Kim Min-jae also received good reviews. German kicker gave Kim Min-jae a rating of 3 and said, “He wasn’t in the best position before conceding a goal. But in terms of physical play and passing play, we played without making any big mistakes.” In Germany, the lower the score, the better the performance. In the case of 3 points, it means that it was okay.
European football statistics outlet FootMob gave it a rating of 6.8 and WhoScored.com had a rating of 6.53. SofaScore had a rating of 6.6.
Germany’s Bavarian Football also said, “Kim Min-jae was as dominant as Upamecano. He consistently won contested situations and put unbelievable pressure on Wolfsburg’s forwards, giving them hell. Kim Min-jae has become accustomed to playing as a left centre-back. Even with his weak left foot, he made some excellent passes.”
The match was a slugfest. Munich took a 1-0 lead thanks to Goretzka’s opener, but Mohamed Amura equalized in the 24th minute. Wolfsburg caught their opponents off guard from a long-range free-kick and opted for a dribble instead of a cross. He then sent the ball into the penalty box, and after a melee ensued, Amura fired a direct shot into the net.
However, Munich went up 3-1 with Michael Oliseh in the 39th minute and Goretz in the 18th minute. From the free-kick, Goretzka connected with a header from Oliseh’s cross. Munich conceded another goal in the 43rd minute through Amura, but they managed to hold on to a one-point lead until the end of the game to earn three points.
Kicker gave Goretzka the highest rating of 1. Footmob also had the highest rating of 9.0.