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| ◇Kim Min-jae, Benfica match scene. AP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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'Monster defender' There was no ball behind 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's performance was definitely outstanding. Kim Min-jae recorded a 100% success rate (six successes), six tackles, three clearings, and one intercept, and the pass success rate was surprisingly 100% (113 successes). The proprietary long ball pass was accurately delivered to a family colleague.
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| APYonhap News |
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| APYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Benfica, who only defended throughout the half-court game, recorded only one shot. Even that was a shot made by Orkun Kökchhu from the halfway line. Munich had 24 shots. It's amazing that the score ended 1-0.
Munich coach Bangsang Kongpani set up Harry Kane as one-top and formed the second line of attack with Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Serge Navri. Jojua Kimmich and João Paligna set up the midfield, while Konrad Reimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Alfonso Davis were in charge of the four backs. Manuel Neuer wore goalkeeper gloves.
Kim Min-jae matched up with Benfica attack duo Kerem Akturkolu and Zecki Amduni. There were no gaps. In the opponent's counterattack situation, Kim Min-jae appeared and cut the ball. In the 17th minute of the first half, he pushed Akturkolu with his body near the half-line to take the ball away.
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| ◇Kim Min-jae, Benfica match heat map. Sofa Score |
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The game was focused on whether Munich, which occupied the ball, could penetrate goalkeeper Anatoly Truvin. Munich, which repeatedly knocked on the goal with Kane at the center, repeatedly missed the chance. Truvin made a total of nine saves and played 'the most valuable player of the game'.
The goal that was tapped eventually opened in the 22nd minute of the second half. In the second half, Mussiala pushed the ball back into the header after Kane connected Leroy Sane's right cross with a header pass.
In the second half, Kim Min-jae also showed a strong appearance like his nickname 'Chomjae'. Benfica put in Angel Di Maria in the second half, but Munich's defense did not budge. In particular, he blocked the opponent's counterattack with a perfect tackle just before scoring the first goal. Munich won 1-0.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
