Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim played pivotal roles in FC Bayern’s draw against Bayer Leverkusen, leading to sporting director Max Eberl dismissing rumors of a transfer for Jonathan Tah. Eberl praised the defensive duo for their strong performances, which have helped solidify the team’s defense. Despite early doubts, Upamecano and Kim’s partnership has flourished under coach Vincent Kompany’s high-risk strategy, contributing to Bayern’s impressive defensive record with eleven clean sheets this season.
In a thrilling encounter against Bayer Leverkusen, Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim showcased their skills, helping secure a vital draw. This performance has led Max Eberl, the sporting director of FC Bayern, to dismiss any rumors regarding a potential transfer for Jonathan Tah.
When leadership is pleased, it reflects well on the team’s performance. Max Eberl expressed his satisfaction with the defensive partnership of Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim, stating he is ‘currently very, very happy’ with their contributions. Initially seen as a potential weakness in Vincent Kompany’s ambitious playing style, the duo has proven their worth, putting to rest speculation surrounding the addition of Jonathan Tah to the squad.
Eberl Dismisses Tah Speculation
Following the intense match, Eberl was quick to quash any transfer rumors, declaring, ‘This is currently not a topic for us. Our defense is performing exceptionally well and has solidified.’ His comments came on ‘Sky90’ after the gripping clash in Leverkusen. The match turned into a defensive showdown, with Kim and Upamecano managing to thwart numerous attacks from the league champions, including their defensive leader, Jonathan Tah.
Outstanding Performances: Upamecano and Kim Shine
In detail, Upamecano led the field with 25 duel victories, while Kim recorded the highest number of clearances at 15. Although the Leverkusen players put pressure on the Bayern defense, the agile forwards Florian Wirtz and Nathan Tella found it challenging to breach the sturdy center-backs. The synergy between the Frenchman and the South Korean was particularly evident in crucial moments, as they seamlessly covered for each other in the final third.
At the beginning of the season, doubts loomed over the defensive pair, especially from Bayern supporters who recalled previous errors. The decision by Bayern’s management to part ways with the reliable Matthijs de Ligt under coach Thomas Tuchel raised eyebrows, but the dynamic duo of Kim and Upamecano were expected to thrive under Kompany’s forward-thinking defensive strategy.
Kompany’s High-Risk Strategy Reaps Rewards
Initially, performances were shaky, particularly in the Bundesliga opener against Wolfsburg and the 3:3 draw in Frankfurt. However, coaches, players, and officials unanimously agreed that Kim and ‘Upa’ were not the source of the team’s struggles. Their man-to-man defensive approach, regardless of the competition, has proven to be crucial. Any lapses in focus or lost possessions could have dire consequences, a stark contrast to the more conservative defending seen under Tuchel.
The match against Leverkusen was a defensive showcase. After some early pressing attempts, Kompany opted for a more restrained approach, allowing Upamecano and Kim, alongside Konrad Laimer and debutant Hiroki Ito, to fortify their defense. They effectively neutralized threats, with the crossbar saving them on two occasions, and Wirtz missing a close-range opportunity.
Impressive Defensive Statistics
As of matchday 22, Bayern’s defense, anchored by Upamecano and Kim, celebrated their eleventh clean sheet, having conceded only 19 goals so far. In comparison, the previous season saw the team allow 25 goals by this stage. Just one more clean sheet is needed to equal the total achieved under Tuchel’s leadership (12).
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