It’s no secret that Kim Min-jae is on the outside looking in with Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich side. The former Napoli man had a difficult start to the season; battling recurring issues with an Achilles injury, the 29-year-old now finds himself behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in the pecking order.

Min-jae, who has been a regular fixture off the bench when fit, did not make Kompany’s match day squad to face TSG Hoffenheim. Naturally, rumors circulated around the center-back’s fitness, however, Kompany confirmed the omission had nothing to do with fitness issues.

“There will be a rotation when everyone’s fit,” explained the 39-year-old manager (as captured by @iMiaSanMia) “It’s not that someone did something wrong. We need healthy competition.”

Kompany went on the soften what seemed like a hammer blow to the South Korean.

“The first thing I said to the team in January was that we have seven games in 20 days, so everyone will play and feel they’re a part of it. Min-jae started the last game. But because we did well in the Champions League, we’ll have fewer games in February, so we’ll have to make less changes. Then in March in full gas again. Now this month, it’s about being professional and winning our games,” Kompany said. “Next month everyone will feel included again. Leaving someone out means nothing, it’s just a decision you have to make — there will be another one and then another. Today, was Min-jae. Wednesday you’ll ask me about someone else.

“Saturday you won’t have to because Michael is suspended. But it’s a good situation because everyone is fit. Last year against Inter we had nine players out. I’ll take this situation every day of the week.”

A fit squad is a rarity at Munich. It’s also a reminder that Bayern’s squad, when fully fit, is deeper than one thinks—a happy problem indeed. But, it doesn’t change the fact that the most important players will be included in the squad come match day. Today, Kim didn’t make the squad in what was a crucial game for Bayern. That tells you all you need to know.

It remains to be seen who will be the next victim of Kompany’s squad omission merry-go-round, but all will be revealed when Bayern Munich take on RB Leipzig on Wednesday, February 11, in the DFB-Pokal quarterfinal.

If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…