FC Bayern is playing Borussia Dortmund today at the Allianz Arena. The record champions are looking to make a statement and secure the win. Jonathan Tah won’t be playing—at least, he isn’t in the starting lineup.
Minjae Kim will start in his place in this classic matchup. The South Korean, who is having a strong season, is once again being chosen over the German national team player for a high-profile game.
Tah has also had a few rough patches in his play recently. While the defender wasn’t in bad form, he didn’t consistently shine either.
Danks Explains the Decision to Leave Tah Out
Just before the match against BVB, Aaron Danks was asked on Sky about the reason for the decision to start Kim. The assistant coach clarified that it wasn’t purely a sporting decision.
“It’s about freshness. Jonathan has also played recently; we trust every player, and both are in good form. Minjae sat out the last game, so he’s simply fresher,” said Danks.
Against BVB, the record champions are expected to have to cover and defend against many counterattacks. A clear head is important there, and fresh legs are essential as well. Tah could then become a hot topic again when the match against Atlético in the UEFA Champions League is on the schedule later this week.
Danks also explained how they plan to break down BVB, a team that has been defensively compact so far and boasts a strong back line: “We haven’t come up with anything special. We want to do what we’re capable of. Putting our top players in the best possible positions—that’s exactly what sets us apart. We’re an attacking team, and we want to show that.”
Joshua Kimmich is back in the lineup this time as well. Following a death in his family, he’s returning to the roster for the first time. The national team player is ready, as Danks confirmed: “It’s obviously a sad time for him. But he’s ready to play and wants to show what he can do.”