Kim Min-Jae shines in Bayern Munich’s preseason victory over Lyon

Bayern Munich’s center-back Kim Min-Jae delivered a commanding performance in a 2-1 preseason friendly win against Lyon at Allianz Arena on Saturday, marking his return after a four-month injury layoff. 

The 28-year-old South Korean, paired with Dayot Upamecano in a 4-2-3-1 setup, played 45 minutes, boasting a 91stat 91% pass accuracy, three passes into the final third, two clearances, one headed clearance, and one successful long ball.

Kim and Upamecano, key to Bayern’s Bundesliga triumph last season, reunited seamlessly. Kim had missed the tail end of the 2024-25 season due to Achilles issues, with new signing Jonathan Tah, 29, stepping up during Bayern’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign from June to July. Tah’s solid displays sparked speculation about Kim’s future at Bayern.

Despite Kim’s 43 appearances across all competitions last season, inconsistent form and injuries drew criticism. Interest from Juventus, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Al-Hilal has surfaced, but German media reports suggest Kim is committed to staying with Bayern Munich. 

Kim, who joined Bayern in 2023, has made 74 appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists, with the Bundesliga title as his first major silverware with the club. After a break in South Korea, he returned to Germany on July 29, ready to reclaim his spot.

Bayern Munich’s next preseason test is against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, followed by their first competitive match of the 2025-26 season against VfB Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup on August 16. Their regular Bundesliga campaign kicks off against RB Leipzig on August 22.

Kim’s return bolsters Bayern’s defensive options as they gear up for a competitive season, with the South Korean defender proving his worth in a strong comeback performance.