In Summer 2023, Minjae Kim made a notable switch from the Italian champions Napoli to the German giants FC Bayern. This transfer, however, came with a considerable toll as his health has been under scrutiny since he joined the team. Currently, Kim is facing discomfort in his Achilles tendon.
When Minjae Kim, the South Korean national player, joined Bayern for the 2023/24 season, his transition lacked the necessary preparation. Instead of engaging in rigorous training to meet the demands of a high-stakes season, he was completing a portion of his military service in South Korea. Shortly after his arrival, then-coach Thomas Tuchel, facing a severe shortage in central defensive players, was compelled to rely on Kim immediately.
The pressure took its toll. By December, at age 28, Kim had neither a Christmas vacation nor recovery time, instead playing for South Korea in the Asian Championship during January and February 2024. This continued playing time amid inadequate rest contributes to the ongoing concerns regarding his fitness.
Compounding these problems, the 2024-2025 season under new head coach Vincent Kompany has also seen Kim facing several challenges. He was not granted adequate rest periods due to the long-term absences of new signings Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanišić. Thus, his health and fitness have remained a concern for the Bayern management.
Currently, Kim has been battling Achilles tendon issues since the season's beginning. While he received some downtime during training, he largely pushed through, showcasing a strong determination to aid his team. However, following the Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, which Bayern won 2-0, Kompany acknowledged the necessity of managing Kim's workload.
“We need to make sure we do not overload him,” Kompany noted about his “somewhat injured” player. Following this assessment, Kim was rested for the Bundesliga away match against Union Berlin.
Looking ahead, FC Bayern's timing seems crucial. The current international break offers a last opportunity to regroup and potentially allocate some time off for key players like Kim. Bayern is slated to return from this break on March 29, 2025, for a match against FC St. Pauli. Reports indicate that Kim may sit out this game as well.
Bayern's management harbors hopes that Kim will be fit and ready for crucial matches ahead, where his presence would be vital. Specifically, the Bavarian Derby against FC Augsburg in early April is a significant target, followed by critical Champions League quarter-final matches against Inter Milan, along with the Bundesliga's highly anticipated clash against Borussia Dortmund.
These matches represent pivotal moments in the season as Bayern seeks both to solidify its position in the league against competition from Bayer Leverkusen and advance in Europe. The club's aspirations are high, and having a healthy Minjae Kim could be instrumental for the team's success moving forward.
