Kim Min-jae claimed that more verification was needed.
Napoli defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the 26th round of Italian Serie A in the 2022-23 season held at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy at 2:00 am (Korean time) on the 12th. Napoli, which further consolidated its first place by catching Atalanta, now has an 18-point gap with second-placed Inter Milan.
Again, it was a scoreless victory. Napoli finished the first half 0-0, but took the lead in the 15th minute of the second half through Hvica Kvarachhelia’s goal. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Amir Rahmani’s additional goal widened the gap. In defense, Kim Min-jae’s performance stood out. 98% pass success rate, 7 attack area passes, 2 long passes, 5 clears, 4 header clears, 4 interceptions, 8 recoveries, 2 successful ground duels, 1 successful aerial duel. left a record
Thanks to Kim Min-jae, Napoli succeeded in a scoreless victory by controlling Duvan Zapata and Rasmus Höilund well. At the post-match press conference, manager Luciano Spalletti called Kim Min-jae a ‘world class center back’. Spalletti said, “Kim Min-jae does at least 20 amazing things in a game. To me, he is the best center back in the world.” If he puts the ball under his feet and starts running, he can get to the opponent’s penalty area in five seconds.” 이브벳 토토
Controversy unfolded over Kim Min-jae’s performance and Spalletti’s remarks about being a ‘world-class center back’. Marco Parolo, who appeared on Italy’s ‘Tutti Brabi Dal Sofa’, raised the subject of controversy by saying, “Coach Spalletti said Min-jae Kim was the world’s best centre-back.” Alessandro Matri and Balon Bellamy countered. Parolo, Matri, and Bellami were all seasoned resources on the Serie A stage.
Bellamy said, “Is Kim Min-jae a world-class center back? That’s not true. It’s a little exaggerated. Kim Min-jae needs verification in the English Premier League (EPL). Until then, I’ll think only Sven Bott is better.” Bortman is a centre-back who played for Newcastle United.
Matri said, “Kalidou Koulibaly was the best center back in the world. Kim Min-jae is also doing well this season, but Koulibaly won the Serie A best defender award and played at the highest level even when Napoli was not good at defending like now.”