"Min-jae, you can't rest."

Bayern Munich faced a 2-3 comeback loss against VfL Bochum in the 25th round of the 2024-25 Bundesliga at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, at 11:30 p.m. (Korean time) on the 8th, due to the repercussions of a red card. With this defeat, Bayern remained at 61 points (19 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses). On the other hand, Bochum, who were in the relegation zone, extinguished their urgent fire with 20 points (5 wins, 5 draws, 15 losses).

On that day, Munich boldly implemented a rotation. They sat Kim Min-jae, the core of the team's defense, on the bench. They also rested his partner, Dayot Upamecano. Instead, Hiroki Ito, Eric Dier, Josip Stanišić, and Raphael Guerreiro formed the back four.

The reason for resting Kim Min-jae was simple: the next match is the second leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen. Even though they won the first leg 3-0, the second leg being an away match at Leverkusen meant Bayern, relatively ahead in the league, implemented rotation for the starting members.

In fact, even before the match, it was largely expected that Kim Min-jae would be rested. German 'Sky Sports' reported ahead of the game, "Key players such as Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Alfonso Davies, and Leon Goretzka took rest as the last training session was ending yesterday, suggesting that there would be extensive rotation in the back line."

For Kim Min-jae, who had been overworked throughout the season, it was a sweet break. Having been burdened with Achilles pain and coping with a schedule bordering on overwork, Kim Min-jae had previously requested rest, but due to team circumstances, he had to keep participating in matches.

Kim Min-jae was injured in October of last year during the match against Eintracht Frankfurt and played through pain with painkillers until the January break. Nevertheless, due to the numerous injuries to other defenders, he was forced to play, but backups such as Ito, Stanišić, and Dier stepped in and allowed him to rest.

However, Kim Min-jae's absence was significant. That day, Bayern quickly took the lead when Guerreiro scored the opening goal in the 14th minute. Although Serge Gnabry missed a penalty in the 21st minute, Guerreiro scored again in the 28th minute, putting them ahead 2-0.

However, there were problems in the defense. In the 31st minute of the first half, they allowed a consolation goal due to failing to mark the opposing defender Medici during a corner kick situation. Additionally, Palinha was sent off with a direct red card in the 42nd minute due to a reckless tackle, leaving Bayern to play with 10 players.

Ultimately, Coach Kompany instructed several players, including Kim Min-jae, to warm up. After the second half began, Bayern, who were playing with 10 men, was heavily pressured by the opponents. In the 6th minute of the second half, once again, Paslack's cross was finished off by Sissoko with a header, leading to the equalizing goal. The slow pace of the central defense was as problematic as the numerical deficiency.

Eventually, Bayern brought on Kane for Müller, Musiala for Gnabry, Olise for Sané, and Laimer for Sasha Boy in a bid to turn the game around. However, in the 26th minute of the second half, Vero scored a stunning left-foot shot, giving Bochum a 3-2 lead.

The match ended with Bayern, missing Kim Min-jae, suffering a 2-3 comeback loss. This was Bayern's first home league defeat. The combination of a missed penalty and a red card in a single match allowed an overturn as their signature dominant football, based on intense pressure, was not possible without Kim Min-jae.

With Kim Min-jae's absence becoming apparent in just one match, Bayern's dependence on him for important European matches has increased. In fact, after the match, there was a prevailing sentiment locally highlighting defensive issues and expressing a yearning for Kim Min-jae.

One Bayern fan sighed on the club's official social media, "(This defeat is) Kim Min-jae's fault. He didn't play." Another fan firmly shook their head, saying, "There is a significant gap between Kim Min-jae and other defenders. The game was ruined in the back line."

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