Bayern Munich’s transfer duo of Kim Min-jae and Harry Kane enjoyed a successful “Bundesliga debut” as they started side-by-side in the opening match of the 2023-2024 German professional soccer season, leading the Bavarians to a convincing 4-0 victory.
Munich thrashed Werder Bremen 4-0 in the opening round of the 2023-2024 Bundesliga on Monday (Sept. 19) at the Weserstadion in Bremen, Germany, behind a goal and an assist from Kane, a multi-goal outburst from Leroy Sane, and a late strike from Mathis Thiel.
Add to that “monster defender” Kim Min-jae, who arrived in a Munich shirt as the highest transfer fee for an Asian player in history, and you have a solid Bundesliga debut, starting in central defense and keeping a clean sheet until he was replaced by Matthias Düricht in the 23rd minute.
After losing 0-3 in the 2023 German Football League (DFL) Super Cup to RB Leipzig on Sept. 13, Munich turned things around with a frenetic goal-hunting display in their opening match of the season, taking a strong step toward a 12th straight regular season victory.
The Bavarians took an early lead in the fourth minute when Sane found the back of the net after being set up by Kane on the counter-attack.
In a counter-attack that began with a ball cleared off the line by Kim Min-jae, Kane latched onto a pass from Sane near the center line and, after a solo run, finished with a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. It was Kane’s first offensive point of the regular season.
Kim Min-jae, who was instrumental in sparking the Munich attack with his buildup at the back, played a precise pass to forward Jamal Moussaoui in the 19th minute, and Moussaoui unleashed a threatening mid-range shot from the edge of the penalty area that went just wide of the post.
Kim Min-jae was particularly effective in the central defense, leading the offside trap and doing his part to shut down Bremen’s counterattacks.
In the 45th minute, Kim joined the attack from a corner kick and looked to score with his trademark header, but was unable to capitalize on the opportunity as he headed straight at the goalkeeper.
With the score at 1-0, Kim was shown a yellow card in the 10th minute of the second half for a strong shoulder challenge on Nicklas Fühlkrug in the middle of a Bremen counterattack. It was Kim’s first caution in the Bundesliga.
Kim was subbed off in the 23rd minute of the second half for Matthias Düricht, ending his Bundesliga debut on a high note.
According to Sofascore, Kim completed 94 percent of his passes and had two key passes, giving him a rating of 7.1. Hooscore.com gave him a slightly lower rating of 6.9.
Munich finally broke through in the 29th minute of the second half, and Kane was the hero.
Kane collected a pass from left fullback Alfonso Davies down the left flank near the penalty spot and rattled Bremen’s net with a right-footed shot.
Kane became the first English player to record both a goal and an assist on his Bundesliga debut, according to soccer statistics company Opta.
The Bavarians completed the 4-0 rout with a 45th-minute wedge from Sane and a late finish from Mathis Tell, who was assisted by Davies in stoppage time. Davies assisted on both Kane and Teller’s goals, making him a multi-assist man. 토토사이트