Jonathan Tah was benched against Leipzig following his lackluster performance against Stavanger. Minjae Kim and Dayot Upamecano made the most of their opportunity in impressive fashion.
The roles in FC Bayern’s central defense could be shifting right now. Jonathan Tah had long been considered a clear starter alongside Dayot Upamecano. However, after his lackluster performance in the 3-3 draw against Viking Stavanger, the national team player had to start on the bench against RB Leipzig.
Vincent Kompany relied on the duo of Upamecano and Minjae Kim in the 6-1 victory. The decision paid off. Leipzig didn’t manage a single shot on goal in the first half, while both center backs defended aggressively and stopped many attacks well before their own penalty area.
Upamecano is already the anchor in the current lineup. The Frenchman brings speed, strength in one-on-one situations, and the dynamism needed for Kompany’s high-pressing defense. Even after coming off the bench in Stavanger, he immediately provided more stability to the previously shaky defense.
That makes the battle for the spot next to him all the more exciting. Kim has recently closed the gap significantly there.
Kim is capitalizing on Tah’s slump
The South Korean was still on the list of potential transfer targets this summer. Now, however, he’s showing greater consistency and is getting regular playing time. Against Leipzig, Kim played with confidence, contributed to the build-up, and even set up the attack that led to the 5-0 goal with a key pass. It wasn’t until the closing stages that he had to be substituted due to minor issues.
With that, Kim has provided the perfect response to Tah’s weak performance in Stavanger. The competition for the spot had already reignited after the match in Norway. The game against Leipzig has reinforced that impression.
Nevertheless, there is no question of Tah being permanently benched. Kompany rotates his lineup regularly, and the next challenge—the Champions League match against Arsenal—is already on the horizon. The 30-year-old remains an experienced leader, but he must currently earn his spot back.
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Added to this is Josip Stanisic as another option. The Croatian is usually deployed on the wing but can defend in the center without any trouble. His style of play could be particularly interesting for Kompany when facing agile attackers.
This creates a new hierarchy for Bayern: Upamecano is currently a starter, Kim has the momentum, and Tah is under pressure to perform. Ironically, it is precisely in this situation that the South Korean continues to be linked with a possible move to AC Milan. The Italians are said to have already made contact with his representatives.
From a sporting perspective, however, letting Kim go under the current circumstances would be risky. The competition is working—and for the first time in quite a while, Kompany has several center backs who are seriously vying for a starting spot. For Tah, this means one thing above all: his former lead has vanished for the time being.