Kim Min-Jae (28, Bayern Munich) has beaten some of the best defenders in the game to earn a ‘shout-out’ from ‘monster striker’ Victor Boniface (24, Leverkusen).
“Super Eagles (Nigeria’s national team nickname) striker Boniface has named Dayo Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Kim Min-jae as the three toughest defenders he has faced in his career,” Nigeria’s SoccerNet reported on Tuesday.
Nigeria’s Boniface is a big man at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and he has garnered a lot of attention in the Bundesliga due to his strong physicality and ability to score with both feet.
He really started to make a name for himself last season. Boniface broke into the professional ranks in 2019 with FK Bochum/Glimt, followed by Royal Winnion Saint-Gilles and then Leverkusen last year.
Boniface showed his talent from his debut season.
He scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in 23 games, despite an injury woes that made him a fan favorite and earned him the nickname Monster Striker.
When asked to name the toughest defenders he’s ever faced, Boniface singled out Kim Min-jae, and he praised him, his partner Upamecano, and his teammate Ta.
“Boniface has scored offensive points against top teams like AC Milan, 파워볼실시간 Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Leipzig,” Sackernet said. He has also performed well against top-level defenders.”
“For reference, Boniface has faced the likes of Arsenal stars William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Picayo Tomori, and Mats Hummels. But he picked a different name for the three strongest defenders he’s faced,” which was a bit surprising.
In fact, Boniface had struggled against Kim Min-Jae last season.
He was pinned down by Kim in the fourth round of the Bundesliga in their first meeting and failed to make his presence felt. Boniface has met Kim on three occasions and has yet to score a goal against him.
Meanwhile, Kim has enjoyed a resurgence with Uffa Meccano, earning the trust of coach Vincent Kompany. The duo were first-choice defenders under Thomas Tuchel at the start of last season. However, in the second half of the season, they lost out to Matthijs de Ligt and Eric Dier and spent more time on the bench.
This season, however, is different. Kompany, who plays an attacking style of football, has opted for a central defense with the quick-footed Kim Min-Jae and Upamecano. Der Licht has moved to Manchester United, and Dyer hasn’t started a single game.
As it turned out, Kompany’s choice was the right one. Bayern Munich have conceded just seven goals in six league games to lead the table. Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga’s first unbeaten title last season, are in fifth place. It’s still early in the season, but the mood has definitely changed for Bayern Munich and Kim Min-jae.