Epenberg, who played as a midfielder representing Bayern Munich and Germany, expressed that Kim Min-jae’s defense method was not problematic in the face of a loss against Dortmund.
Bayern Munich drew 1-1 with Dortmund in the 12th round away match of the Bundesliga in the 2024-25 season at Zignaliduna Park in Dortmund, 토토사이트 꽁머니 Germany on the 1st (Korea time). Kim Min-jae also started in the match and was in charge of Bayern Munich’s defense. Kim Min-jae was replaced by Olise due to bleeding around his eyes in the 35th minute of the second half.
Bayern Munich allowed Gittens to score the first goal in the 27th minute of the first half against Dortmund, stopping a seven-game scoreless streak. Gittens beat Bayern Munich defender Reimer on the left side and penetrated into the penalty area after dribbling alone and shook the Bayern Munich net with a left-footed shot.
Eppenberg and Magat appeared on German broadcaster Sport to argue about Bayern Munich’s loss against Dortmund.
Regarding Bayern Munich’s loss against Dortmund, Epenberg said, “Personally, the center back does not want to allow it to pass through him. Gitten’s shooting angle was also narrow, so Gitten could have crossed to the center. There was no mistake from Kim Min-jae’s point of view. Kim Min-jae’s action to cover the center was correct because there were three Dortmund strikers behind Kim Min-jae. That’s why Kim Min-jae did not run towards Gitten’s.”
“I don’t want to refute Epenberg’s opinion,” Magat said. “But if I were the coach, I would have told the center back that someone has to run. Reimer said the midfielder is the main position and not as fast as a defender. So he couldn’t keep up with the speed. Kim had to control the risks he faced before focusing on other situations.”
In response to Magat’s remarks, Epenberg said, “There were three Dortmund players in the center. Kim Min-jae’s behavior was absolutely correct,” and added, “If Kim Min-jae ran out, Upamecano had to cover Kim Min-jae’s place, and then someone behind him had to fill in again. If the ball was thrown to the center and lost a point, we would have argued about why Kim Min-jae ran towards the opponent.”
Epenberg played for Bayern Munich and won four Bundesliga championships and the UEFA Champions League in the 2000-01 season. He also scored five goals in 35 A matches for the German national team. Magat, who expressed regret over Kim Min-jae’s defense, was the coach of Bayern Munich from 2004 to 2007. He led Bayern Munich to two Bundesliga championships and was also involved with Koo Ja-cheol when he was the Wolfsburg coach.
Regarding Kim Min-jae’s performance against Dortmund, German media Focus said, “He could have stepped up earlier to support Leimer in the scene of the first goal loss,” but expressed that “Kim Min-jae showed a solid performance again.”
German media FR said, “Kim Min-jae focused as usual in the duel and showed calmness.” German media Sport gave Kim a 2.5 rating, the highest rating among Bayern Munich’s defense, saying, “Kim Min-jae once again shined with aggressive advance by intercepting the long ball at a high speed.”