‘So avoidable’

Published 30/04/2024 at 22:24 GMT

Kim Min-jae had an evening to forget as Bayern Munich drew 2-2 with Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final. The defender was at fault for both of the visitors’ goals, which TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves labelled “so avoidable”. Hargreaves believes Kim was “too aggressive” with his defending but backed star-studded Bayern to win the tie.Kim Min-Jae of Bayern Munich reacts after conceding a penalty against Rodrygo of Real Madrid (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2024 in Munich

Image credit: Getty Images

Bayern Munich were let down by “aggressive” Kim Min-jae errors leading to “avoidable” goals against Real Madrid, says Owen Hargreaves, but the TNT Sports pundit believes the Germans can win the tie.

But Bayern were left to rue a couple of mistakes from South Korea international Kim, who was caught out of position for Vinicius Junior’s first-half opener before conceding a penalty as the Brazilian levelled from the spot late on.

Former Bayern midfielder Hargreaves pointed to the performance of the centre-back as a cause for regret after the game.

“We’ve seen a lot of these games decided by mistakes. Kim was just a little bit too aggressive,” Hargreaves told TNT Sports.

“We see a lot of defenders trying to press and be really aggressive. Sometimes just stand still.

“When he watches the footage back, there’s the mistake for the penalty obviously, but the first goal is so avoidable.

“They will look at that and think they need to go to Madrid and just tidy up their mistakes. With the players they have in attack they can win the game.”

Thomas Tuchel’s side made the stronger start as they dominated possession and created a string of chances, but they went behind midway through the first half.

However, the game was turned on its head early in the second when two goals in four minutes, a Leroy Sane thunderbolt and Harry Kane penalty, put the hosts in front.

Although Hargreaves was encouraged by Bayern’s performance, he warned that all Real need is a moment to change the course of a tie.

“I thought Bayern started the game exceptionally well. Up to the point where Kim makes that mistake,” he said.

He added: “They can play better but this is how they play. They did this against Leipzig [in the last 16].

“In the four halves, they were probably the worse team in three of the four.

“But they have big moments, big players – Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo – that can go and win you the game.”

The second leg will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Wednesday, May 8, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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