German Bundesliga defender Kim Min-jae, 26, started again for Bayern Munich, making it 14 consecutive full-time appearances. However, just like the previous game, he left a lot to be desired, conceding a goal. Local media also gave him harsh ratings.
Munich defeated FC Heidenheim 4-2 in the 11th round of the 2023-24 Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday (Sept. 12). With the win, the Bavarians extended their unbeaten league record to 11 games (9 wins, 2 draws) and moved into first place ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, who have yet to play.
Harry Kane was the star of the show, scoring a first-half brace to extend his goal-scoring streak to six games in all competitions. Sane also contributed two assists and led the attack with some excellent dribbling.
However, the defense was once again shaky. Munich coach Thomas Tuchel once again used the Kim Min-jae-Dayo Upamecano lineup, but two goals came after Upamecano was substituted in the second half. Kim Min-jae had a hand in both goals and hung his head in shame. It was a moment that showed the aftermath of the recent push. With the league schedule complete, Kim is expected to join Jürgen Klinsmann’s (GER) national team for the November A-match schedule.
Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel once again went with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Harry Kane up front, Leroy Sane-Thomas Muller-Serge Navri in the second line. Aleksandar Pavlovic-Konrad Reimer back four, Buna Sarr-Kim Min-jae-Dayo Upamecano-Nusair Mazhrawi in midfield, and Manuel Neuer in goal. It was noticeable that Alfonso Davies finally dropped out of the starting lineup. On the other hand, Kim Min-jae once again combined with Upamecano.
It was Heidenheim who threatened first. From an indirect free kick in the opening minutes, a sharp cross found its way into the box. Kane tried to get a shot away, but Upamecano and Kim Min-jae threw themselves into action to make the save.
Munich responded in the 12th minute when Muller ran onto a through ball from Kane. Muller cleared the ball out of the box and set up Sane, but his volley was blocked by the defense. From the ensuing corner, Kim Min-jae headed wide of the right post.
But it was Kane who shone from the start. In the 14th minute, after receiving a pass from Sane in the box, Kane collected the ball with his back to goal and tried to turn and shoot. It was from a difficult position, but the trajectory was such that the opposing goalkeeper couldn’t react. It was Kane’s sixth goal in six official matches and his 16th in the league.
Heidenheim then hit back. In the 20th minute, Ehren Dinke and Tim Kleindindst played a 2-on-1 pass that completely broke down the Kim-Min-Jae Upamecano line. Kleindindst raced past Upamecano to get a shot off, but it was poorly timed and well wide left of the goal.
Munich’s attack, which had been somewhat subdued, began at the feet of Kim Min-jae. In the 32nd minute, the ball was cleared off the line by Kane, and Muller quickly played it forward. After breaking through, Sane had a one-on-one opportunity in the box, but his right-footed shot went narrowly wide. Heidenheim countered with Dincke and Jan Niklas Veste, but neither could find the back of the net.
Toward the end of the first half, Munich had another chance. In the 43rd minute, Kim-Min-Jae-Sar-Nabry completely opened up the left flank with just two passes. Navri again found Muller, who sent in a cross. Sane got a quick header on it, which was met by Saar, but goalkeeper Kevin Muller made a sensational save.
It was a perfect attacking chance, and it was a shame it wasn’t finished, but Kane made up for it. From a corner, Kane leapt to his feet and rattled the post with a header, his 17th goal of the season. With momentum on his side, Kane tried a left-footed shot from the right side of the box in the second minute of stoppage time, but this time he found himself in the arms of the keeper.
Heidenheim started the second half with a flanking attack in search of an equalizer, but Kim Min-jae made a fine block in the fourth minute to nullify the attack. In the 13th minute, he jumped up to block a cross with his head. The ball led to a counter-attack by Sane, whose final shot was blocked by the keeper. Kim Min-jae was solid in the second half, blocking a cross from Dinchy in the 15th minute and then clearing it away again.
Munich rotated shortly afterward, removing Nabry, Upamecano, and Muller in favor of Eric Maxim Choupo, Moting, Hafa Geheiro, and Mathis Thiel.
Six minutes later, Heidenheim’s consolation goal came six minutes later. Heidenheim went on the counter-attack immediately after Choupo-Moting lost the ball. Veste’s pass found Dingchi, who crossed lightly, but the ball deflected off Kim Min-jae and found its way to Kleindindst. Kleindindst rattled the net with a gentle slide. It was a bit of bad luck on Kim’s part.
But three minutes later, in the 25th minute, it was a direct mistake on his part. A sloppy pass in the buildup allowed the opposition to shoot on goal. Veste’s left-footed shot rattled the net as it deflected off Minjae. In just three minutes, Munich’s 2-0 lead had been blown.
Somewhat demoralized, Munich responded with a right-footed attack. Soon after, Kane’s cross was cleared off the line, but this time Reimer broke down the right flank. Reimer crossed lightly into the center of the box, where Choupo-Moting’s shot was blocked by the keeper. But the onrushing Geheiru slotted the ball home with his left foot into an empty net to put the hosts back in front. In the 33rd minute, Sane broke down the right and Kane’s left-footed shot was deflected over the bar.
Munich then pushed for an equalizer, with Kane, Sane, and Choupo-Moting going close in quick succession. It came in the 40th minute. Tell’s cross was met by a header from Choupo-Moting, who scored his fourth goal of the season. 캡틴토토
It was a difficult game, but Munich held on for the win and remained unbeaten.
Kane was the star of the show. After the game, Lothar Matthäus claimed on Germany’s Sky Sports that “if Kane doesn’t get injured, he will break Robert Lewandowski’s record”. Lewandowski scored 41 goals in the Bundesliga in the 2020-21 season, a record that Kane would break.
After the game, local media also praised Kane’s performance. German outlet Bild gave Kane a rating of 1, the highest of any Munich player who started the game. German media outlets usually give ratings on a scale of 1-6, with the lower the better.
It was a mixed bag for Kim Min-jae. The defender, who was instrumental in both goals, received a rating of 5 from Bild. It was the lowest rating of the game. The kicker also received a 5, the lowest on the team. It was the same rating as his teammate Mazrawi.
Football stats site Futbol.com gave him a rating of 6.2, which was also the lowest of any Munich defender. His passing success rate of 90% (120 successful attempts/113 attempts), 4 long passes (50%), 11 recoveries, 6 interceptions, and 1 blocked shot were overshadowed by his conceded goals.
Leave a Reply