Kim Min-jae’s return to the pitch in front of his home fans was one of the highlights of Bayern Munich’s 2-1 preseason victory over Jeju SK, but many supporters wondered why the South Korean defender’s outing lasted just 30 minutes (and no, it had noting to do with that wild rainbow flick by Matheus Aiás).
After the match, Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany explained that the substitution was always part of the plan and had nothing to do with Kim’s performance. Speaking to a Korean journalists,
Kompany talked about Kim’s early exit and his role on the squad.
“Minjae is an important player for us. It was workload management, because he will play 60 minutes against Aston Villa on Friday. He can’t play more during this phase. It was nice that he started and wore the captain’s armband here in Korea. But we couldn’t take risks. That was the plan,” said Kompany (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
The comments underline just how highly Kompany views Kim ahead of the new season. Rather than pushing the defender beyond his planned workload, Bayern Munich is carefully managing his fitness as he builds toward full match sharpness.
Kompany also highlighted the significance of Kim captaining Bayern Munich in his home country. Wearing the armband in front of a passionate Korean crowd was a special moment for both the player and the supporters who came to see one of their nation’s biggest football stars represent the German champions.
With another 60 minutes planned against Aston Villa, Bayern Munich appears to have a clear roadmap for Kim’s preseason. The club is prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term minutes, ensuring one of its most important defenders is fully prepared for the challenges of the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League when the competitive campaign begins.
For Bayern Munich, the message was clear — Kim remains a key part of Kompany’s plans.
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