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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| 출처=UEFA |
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| APYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| 출처=UEFA |
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It's like a monster.
Kim Min-jae scored the first winning goal in the 38th minute of the first half in the fifth home game of the 2024-2025 European Champions League (UCL) League phase against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on the 27th (Korea time).
Kim Min-jae, who appeared on the European stage through joining Fenerbahce (Turkiye) in 2021, exploded 'Champs debut goal' (second goal of the season) in front of PSG genius midfielder Lee Kang-in. Kim Min-jae's goal, which he pushed with his head in the set piece situation, became the winning goal, and Kim Min-jae was selected as the man of the match (MOM) and awarded the trophy.
The record was amazing, too. Kim Min-jae played full-time for 90 minutes, contributing to a scoreless victory by scoring 10 ball recoveries, 93% pass success rate (55 successful), one tackle, two ground races, one aerial ball contest success, two interceptions, one shot block, and seven clearings.
Munich tied the last Bochum (5-0 win), Mainz (4-0 win), Union Berlin (3-0 win), Benfica (1-0 win), Jean-Kt Pauli (1-0 win), and Augsburg (3-0 win) to set a record of seven consecutive scoreless wins. Kim Min-jae started all seven games and played 'function' as a wall of wailing'
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| EPAYonhap News |
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| Source=Sofascore |
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What's more surprising is Kim Min-jae's heat map. Kim Min-jae, who is considered to be an optimized defender for Munich's forward defense tactics, contributed to the team's defense by actively moving between the midfield, the defense, and the left side and center points. Compared to recent league games, the heat map was skewed to the defense, but it still covered a wide range.
Kim Min-jae also clocked 11.1km of running distance, which is as good as a midfielder. Records show that he didn't just play defense waiting at the back, but moved nonstop. The maximum speed is 33.6 km/h. It received an 8.2 rating, the highest in the team based on the statistics company 'Sofascore'. This is the highest personal rating this season.
Coach Kongpani trained in the first week, and our strikers didn't have fun. If the strikers didn't have fun on the training ground, it means there's something there. These performances come with a little confidence and time to adapt,' he said, praising victory hero Kim Min-jae.
Coach Kongpani and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer agreed that they were able to achieve seven consecutive scoreless games because not only the defense's performance but the entire team defended.
Munich, which overcame its crushing defeat in Barcelona in the third round to win its second straight game, jumped to 11th place with nine points in the league phase.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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On the other hand, PSG fell to 26th place, the relegation zone of the league phase, due to a slump of four points in five games. Lee Kang-in actively played on the ground for about 25 minutes by replacing Warren Zaire-Emery in the 20th minute of the second half after team striker Usman Dembele was sent off (13th minute in the second half), but failed to prevent his team's defeat.
In the 2011-2012 season, Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in played a 'Korean Derby' on the UCL stage for the first time in 13 years since the showdown between Park Ji-sung (at the time Manchester United) and Park Joo-ho (at the time Basel).
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
