The defense “monster” starts. Min-Jae Kim will make his debut for the Munich team in FC Bayern’s second friendly on the Asia trip against the Japanese first division team Kawasaki Frontale. That’s what Thomas Tuchel announced on Friday. And the coach is also looking forward to the first appearance of the South Korean, who was brought in by the Italian champions SSC Napoli thanks to an opt-out clause for 50 million euros.
“Kim will play one half. We’re all looking forward to that. Hopefully that will give him the necessary fitness in preparation, self-confidence and a boost that we can get him to his performance limit,” said Tuchel before the game on Saturday (12 noon / DAZN ).
“Min-Jae will bring a lot of quality to our team. He can play in both positions in central defence. Hopefully he will give us a lot of stability. I hope Min-Jae can show that he is the player we were hoping for “, said Tuchel.
The 26-year-old Kim, as the successor to the former record-breaking Munich player Lucas Hernández, who has moved on to Paris Saint-Germain, is also supposed to push the competition in the Munich defense. In particular, Dayot Upamecano, who made mistakes too often, will have to make an effort. In the future, the desired occupation in the center will be: Matthijs de Ligt and Kim.
The debut in his Asian homeland is special for the 1.90 meter tall Kim. His parents should watch in the Olympic Stadium. And in the Bayern jersey, too, he wants to live up to his reputation as a defensive “monster” with his strength in duels. He wanted to “become a leader and fight on the field,” he said at his presentation in Munich.
“He developed step by step. With every change of club he reached a new level in his game,” said Tuchel about Kim’s career, which led him from South Korea to China, Turkey and Italy in the Bundesliga. “We’re glad he decided to take on this adventure. Hopefully he can reach the next level here,” said Tuchel. Kim should set the first small scent mark of his skills at home in Asia.
Bayern squad Bundesliga schedule All-time Bundesliga table Pre-season plan Bayern squad for the Asia trip Info on the Asia tour Tuchel-Pk before the game
