Kim Min-jae Returns To Munich Ahead of The Leverkusen Match
Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich) has returned to the center of Munich's defense. Bayern Munich said on its official website on the 9th (Korea time), "Kim Min-jae is back." Kim Min-jae, a key defender of Bayern Munich, has been away from the team for a while as a member of the "Klinsmanho" South Korean national team that played in the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup. Kim Min-jae immediately moved to Munich, Germany, when South Korea fell helplessly in the semifinals of the Asian Cup, losing 0-2 to Jordan. Kim Min-jae did not play in the match against Jordan in the semifinals of the Asian Cup. He received a warning in the first group match against Bahrain on the 15th of last month, followed by another warning in the quarterfinals against Australia on the 3rd. According to AFC regulations, Kim Min-jae could not play in the semifinals against Jordan due to accumulated warnings. He had to watch his teammates lose bitterly. Kim Min-jae returned to Munich, leaving behind his regret. From the standpoint of Bayern Munich, Kim Min-jae's return came at an exquisite timing. On the 11th, Bayern Munich is set to play Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 21st round of the German Bundesliga. In fact, it can be a "final match" to compete for the German Bundesliga championship. Currently, Munich is lagging behind in second place with 50 points (16 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses). Leverkusen is No. 1 under coach Xavi Alonso. Leverkusen is undefeated in 30 official matches including 20 league matches (16 wins and 4 draws) this season. Munich said on its official website, "Kim Min-jae returned to the stadium, and Manuel Neuer and Konrad Reimer have started individual training." The team said, "Before the showdown with Leverkusen, coach Thomas Tuchel welcomed the team. Kim started training with his teammates for the first time this year. Kim returned from the Asian Cup." Due to Dayo Upamecano's injury, only Matthijs de Ligt remained at the center back. Eric Dier, who was brought in from the transfer market this winter, started and was urgently filling the vacancy. In the video released by the club on its official channel on the 8th, Kim Min-jae was greeting team officials while cycling at the team training site. Kim Min-jae's return to Munich is imminent.