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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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"Monster Defender" Due to Kim Min-jae's injury, a red light was lit on Hong Myung-bo's defense line ahead of the second consecutive World Cup qualifying round in March.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany directly reported Kim Min-jae's injury. Kim Min-jae's Bayern Munich is set to make an away trip to Berlin Union in the German Bundesliga at Stadion An der Alten Försterai on the 15th (Korea time). Coach Kompany said in an official press conference on the 14th that `Kim Min-jae was injured.' "I hope it doesn't take too long, but I'll be out for a few weeks" he said.
Achilles' tendon, which has been chronic since October, is a problem. "I'm struggling with my Achilles tendon. I hope I can come back soon, but I have to be careful not to overdo it when I'm already doing a lot of work"I hope it's not too serious an injury..." he added.
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| APYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Kim Min-jae, who left Napoli for the `Serie A Champions" Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, has played a total of 73 matches for Munich and started 23 of Munich's 26 games this season, defending Munich's top-flight run as a main centre-back.
However, local media TZ in Munich, Germany, said Kim Min-jae's injury may not be as serious as expected. Rather, it is a view that it is an absence to give a break in order to protect players so that more serious situations do not occur. They predicted the possibility of returning to the quarterfinals of the European Champions League against Inter Milan or the Bundesliga against Borsia Dortmund if their condition recovers after taking a sufficient rest during the A-match period. The media judged that Coach Hong Myung-bo's national team, which is struggling with defense problems ahead of the two consecutive games against Oman and Jordan, is the only real loser because Eric Dier has been proven to be a solid center back backup.
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| Coach Hong Myung-bo announces the national team to compete in the World Cup qualifying round |
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In fact, Kim Min-jae's injury is also a big negative factor for Hong Myung-bo. The South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, is set to play Oman (8 p.m. on the 20th) and Jordan (8 p.m. on the 25th) in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup, and Kim Min-jae is on the list without fail. Coach Hong said, `Kim Min-jae has Achilles tendon and ankle aftereffects, but under the current situation, Bayern Munich cannot sit on the bench. So the team will also play. There are difficulties, but I will play while thinking positively. I have some difficulties in my body, but I'm playing well," he said, explaining the reason for the call-up. Coach Kompany's surprise exclusion of Kim Min-jae from the list ahead of the A-match transfer is not a sudden injury, but rather a player protection and preemptive measure to prevent worsening injuries at a time when he has to fight back and forth between Asia and Europe at an important time ahead of the European Champions League.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
