Minjae Kim Faces Extended Absence Due to Injury
Bayern Munich's central defender Minjae Kim has been ruled out for several weeks following complications related to his Achilles tendon injury. Coach Vincent Kompany provided the update on March 14, 2025, stating Kim will be sidelined for "a couple of weeks" as Bayern looks to manage the consequences of his condition carefully. The news follows concerns raised by South Korea's national team coach Hong Myung-bo about Bayern's handling of Kim's injury management.
Kompany expressed hope for positive recovery outcomes, noting, "We hope it's nothing bad, but he's got problems with his Achilles, which was known already. It's now about managing his workload. We need to make sure we don't overwork him." With Kim out, former Tottenham player Eric Dier is anticipated to step in at center-back. Kompany praised Dier's professionalism and ability to adapt during significant matches, emphasizing how important his experience will be during this challenging stretch.
Kim's injury situation has been under scrutiny, especially following his withdrawal from South Korea's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Jordan due to the same Achilles issues. After being named in Hong's 28-man squad, Kim relayed news of pulling out to seek treatment, heightening concern about his fitness and management at Bayern. Hong indicated there had been "warning signs" indicating the injury might worsen, leading him to criticize Bayern for not adequately protecting the player from injury.
"Unfortunately, Bayern Munich did not properly protect the player to prevent injury, so we’ve ended up in a situation where we have to play these important matches without a key player," Hong said during training sessions, illustrating the frustration felt by the national team coaching staff.
South Korea's upcoming qualifiers hold significant importance as they push toward securing one of the two automatic tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hong’s decision to rest Kim is seen as necessary, albeit challenging, with FC Seoul defender Kim Ju-sung expected to take over his responsibilities.
With Kim sidelined, he now misses yet another match, including Bayern’s recent 1-1 draw against Union Berlin; his absence underlines the centrality of maintaining squad fitness as the season progresses.
Looking forward, Bayern faces mounting pressure to navigate upcoming fixtures without one of their key defensive stalwarts. Dier's role will be pivotal as the squad balances potential title aspirations with the necessity of ensuring no long-term health consequences for Kim.
Recent reports from the Bundesliga indicate Kim has participated actively since winter, playing 13 out of 16 matches since the break. Hence, his injury raises questions about Bayern's training regimens and how they impact player wellness over sustained periods.
Despite these challenges, the management remains positive, asserting their commitment to ensuring player welfare remains the core component of their strategies as they prepare for the next games. Kompany noted, "A player like Eric doesn't need to be talked about... I have respect for stories like those of Leon Goretzka who showcase how concentration on your work can reserve your moments. We're preparing to see how we adapt and remind each other of our roles moving forward through this."
While it remains to be seen how long Kim will be absent, the focus for Bayern and South Korea sits firmly on rehabilitating their talent effectively, ensuring the necessary precautions are used to prevent situations like these from recurring. Both teams approach upcoming matches with renewed awareness of the importance of player health and proper injury management protocols.
