Kompany addresses criticism of Kim Min-jae ahead of Inter showdown

At a press conference on Tuesday, Vincent Kompany addressed the criticism surrounding Kim Min-jae and looked ahead to Bayern’s decisive Champions League clash with Inter.

Kim Min-jae has faced heavy criticism following his performance in Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.

The South Korean defender was particularly blamed for Dortmund’s opening goal after he failed to track Maximilian Beier, allowing the forward to score. The mistake has sparked a wave of scrutiny, with pundits and fans alike questioning Kim’s recent form.

Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Inter on Wednesday, head coach Vincent Kompany made it clear that the matter had been addressed behind closed doors.

“I’ve cleared it up. It’s not about one player,” Kompany said. 

“We’ve had several situations where players were absent. We’ve always developed the energy to create chances and play well. When it comes to individual players, we always discuss it internally and face to face. I believe in the team and our lads.”

Bayern head into Wednesday’s clash trailing 2-1 on aggregate after the first-leg defeat in Munich, but Kompany remains confident his side can turn things around in Italy.

“Sometimes they’re special nights. They’re nights that can be decided by one moment,” he said. 

“Hopefully we have the chances again like in the first leg – maybe there won’t be as many. We have to be there in those moments, defend well, and score the goals up front. The belief is there. At the end of the day, we just need to win one match. We always play to win.”

The Bayern coach acknowledged the buzz and significance of the upcoming clash.

“There’s an anticipation for this match – it feels proper,” he stated. 

“It’s the best team in Italy against the best team in Germany at the moment. The stadium is also one of the best there is. It doesn’t get much better. The quality and the talent are also there. The most important thing is that we deliver our best performance.”