Neuer defends Kim: „Mistakes happen, that’s part of football“ | OneFootball

Bayern defender Minjae Kim becomes the scapegoat in the Champions League first leg against Real Madrid. Coach Thomas Tuchel criticised him in no uncertain terms, while captain Manuel Neuer reacted more calmly.

Even neutral observers realised after the 2:2 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid that FC Bayern could have done better. While the Munich side missed opportunities to score a third goal, the visitors from Spain turned two chances into two goals.

Defender Minjae Kim was partly responsible for both goals. At 0-1 in the 24th minute, the South Korean allowed himself to be pulled out of defence by Vinicius Jr. and then failed to keep up when Toni Kroos took advantage with a dream pass to the Brazilian attacker.

In the 83rd minute, Kim amateurishly fouled Rodrygo to concede a penalty and equalise the score at 2:2. Coach Thomas Tuchel criticised Kim in no uncertain terms after the game.

„When he conceded the goal, he mustn’t go with the counter-attack. That’s not on,“ the coach criticised the scene before the 0-1. „When he takes the penalty, he unintentionally opens up the inside lane and gives Rodrygo the space. He’s in the right position the whole time and then gets it wrong at the crucial moment. Wow, ey. That’s too greedy!“ Tuchel commented angrily on the second goal conceded.

Neuer defends Kim: „Not all bad“

However, captain Manuel Neuer defended Kim: „We talked about it in the changing room,“ said the Bayern goalkeeper in the mixed zone after the match.

„Mistakes happen, that’s part of football. But that doesn’t mean he’ll play badly in the next few games. It wasn’t all bad today either – he played very well at times today,“ said Neuer, referring to the duels he won in which Kim’s forward defence was rewarded. „But in some crucial moments he perhaps didn’t make the right decisions, which always happens in football,“ added the keeper.

Despite Neuer’s advocacy, Kim will now have to fear for his place in Bayern’s centre-back line again. After the 27-year-old was still a starter in the previous round, he returned tired from the Asian Championship and lost his starting place to Matthijs de Ligt in the second half of the season. However, it is still unclear whether the Dutchman will be fit in time for the second leg on 8 May.