Bayern breathe a sigh of relief: no serious injury for Minjae Kim | OneFootball

The 4-1 victory of FC Bayern in Hoffenheim was overshadowed by a moment of shock: In the 69th minute, Minjae Kim had to leave the field limping after grabbing his left calf. Concerns immediately arose that the South Korean might be absent from the Munich team for a longer period – a scenario that would have been particularly bitter given the already strained personnel situation in defense.

Right after the game, neither coach Vincent Kompany nor sports director Max Eberl could give the all-clear. "We have to wait," was the initial cautious statement. But after returning to Munich, there was quick clarity: According to BILD, the examination showed that there is no structural injury.

The club itself confirmed this upon inquiry by kicker: "It's not as bad as feared." Kim is expected to recover in the coming days and could already be an option for the home game against Werder Bremen on Friday. Thus, the record champion is spared another long-term absence.

Kim Fights His Way Back

Photo: IMAGO

A longer absence would not only have further burdened the already thin squad but also halted Kim's personal upswing. The 28-year-old had just fought his way back into the starting lineup after Achilles tendon problems last season had sidelined him for weeks.

Against Hoffenheim, he showed strong form: 94 percent pass accuracy, 57 percent duels won, and an important block just before halftime that prevented a potential 1-1. For Kim, another proof that he is regaining his former stability – and for Kompany, an important factor in the rotation.

With Josip Stanisic (medial ligament injury), Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament rupture), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture), and the recently injured Raphael Guerreiro, the defensive concerns are significant enough. All the more valuable that Kim is likely to return quickly.

The scene in Sinsheim was thus a moment of shock, but Bayern can breathe a sigh of relief: Kim is expected to be available to the record champion again soon.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.