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Kim Min-jae, who struggled in the competition for a starting role last season, is establishing a solid position this season after starting in all three official matches. / Getty Images Korea

Kim Min-jae, nicknamed the "Iron Pillar," has firmly locked down a starting center-back spot for Bayern Munich from the outset of the season. In contrast to last season, when he was relegated to the third-choice option and subjected to persistent transfer rumors, he has proven his quality on the pitch and validated his decision to stay with the club. Having started in all three official matches early this season, Kim is expected to further solidify his standing as a cornerstone of Munich's defensive line after overcoming injuries and squad competition.

On the 2nd local time, Bayern Munich defeated second-tier side VfL Osnabrück 4-1 in the first round of the 2026-2027 DFB-Pokal held at the Stadion an der Bremer Brücke in Osnabrück, Germany.

Kim started in central defense alongside Jonathan Tah and played the full 90 minutes. Following the German Supercup and the Bundesliga opener, this marked his third consecutive start across official matches, demonstrating that he is cementing his position as Munich's primary central defender.

His performance on the pitch was exceptionally steady. Kim attempted 90 passes and completed 88, recording a remarkable 98 percent pass completion rate. He also won five out of six ground duels and registered six successful defensive actions, including five tackles. Football statistics platform FotMob awarded Kim a match rating of 7.7.

Kim's current standing in the squad represents a dramatic turnaround from last season. During Munich's defensive reshuffle a year ago, the club left the door open for his potential departure, and speculation persisted that Kim might take on a new challenge elsewhere. However, Kim chose to remain with the squad and fight for his spot, a decision that is now bearing fruit early in the campaign.

Competition remains fierce across Munich's defensive ranks. With world-class center-backs such as Jonathan Tah, who partnered with Kim, and Dayot Upamecano standing in reserve, securing a starting berth in every fixture is never guaranteed. Nevertheless, Kim's greatest asset lies in his ability to execute both build-up play and resolute defending simultaneously.

As demonstrated in this match, serving as the launching pad for attacks from deep with high passing accuracy while delivering proactive front-foot defending and duel capability leaves little reason for him to lose his starting role. In particular, given that Munich dominates territory in the opponent's half and maintains an aggressive high line, Kim's rapid decision-making and one-on-one defending retain immense tactical value.

The trajectory early in the season is decidedly positive. The key now is whether he can sustain this level of composure in upcoming clashes against top-tier opponents. Should he maintain this form in matches featuring higher pressing intensity and broader defensive spaces to cover, Kim's position as a starting defender will only grow more formidable.

Attention is focused on whether Kim Min-jae, having overcome the adversity of last season to reclaim his starting spot, can cement his place as the linchpin of Bayern Munich's defense throughout this campaign.

                                                                                                        Cheon Hyun-bin