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Thomas Tuchel blames 'greedy' Bayern Munich star for Real Madrid draw

6 months ago 28
  • Real Madrid scored a late penalty to draw 2-2 in the first leg at Bayern Munich 
  • Tuchel pointed to two crucial mistakes by defender Kim Min-jae on Tuesday
  • Does Mo Salah regret not leaving Liverpool last summer? Is he now risking tarnishing his Liverpool career? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off! podcast 

By Michael Pavitt

Published: 09:03 BST, 1 May 2024 | Updated: 12:58 BST, 1 May 2024

Thomas Tuchel has blamed Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae's 'aggressive' defending for Real Madrid two goals in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Bayern and Real Madrid played out a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice for the visitors.

The Brazilian winger latched onto a through ball from Toni Kroos to score the opening goal, after being pressured by Kim before sprinting into space behind the centre back.


Bayern responded with Leroy Sane and a Harry Kane penalty turning the tie around in a four-minute spell in the second half.

Kim was at fault for Real Madrid's equaliser seven minutes from time, with the defender clumsily bringing down Rodrygo in the box to allow Vinicius to score from the spot.

Thomas Tuchel blamed Kim Min-jae's 'aggressive' defending for Real Madrid's two goals

The Bayern Munich defender made two mistakes in the Champions League semi-final first leg

Vinicius Jnr sprinted beyond Kim before finishing beyond Manuel Neuer for the opening goal

Tuchel claimed post-match that Kim had been 'too greedy' on both occasions, with the mistakes costing Bayern Munich goals.

'He made the first move too early against Vinicius in the first goal and got caught by Toni Kroos' pass, he speculated and was too aggressive,' Tuchel said, as reported by Bild.

'In the second goal, unfortunately it was another mistake. 

'We were five against two, we had the numbers. There was no need to defend that aggressively against Rodrygo. The moment Eric was about to help, he [Kim] brought him [Rodrygo] down. 

'Unfortunately with their quality, these mistakes get punished. But well, it happens. We have to move on.'

Kim has had a mixed first season at Bayern Munich since moving to the Bundesliga giants for a reported £42million last summer.

The South Korean defender had been a crucial part of Napoli's Serie A title winning team last season.

Kim was at fault for Real Madrid's late equaliser after bringing down Rodrygo in the box

Vinicius scored his second goal from the spot to leave the tie level heading into the second leg

Kim received the support of Neuer post-match after the defender's two crucial mistakes

Kim had been left out of Bayern's starting eleven for their previous three Champions League matches, but returned on Tuesday with Matthijs de Ligt absent through injury.

The 27-year-old received the support of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer post-match, who stated that mistakes are 'part of football'.

'We spoke about it in the dressing room,' Neuer told Sport 1. 'Mistakes happen, it's part of football. It doesn't mean he'll perform badly in the next games.

'It wasn't all bad today either - he played very well in parts today. But in some crucial moments, he perhaps didn't make the right decisions, which always happens in football.'

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