Bayern face Borussia Dortmund for the third time this year on Saturday. Both previous encounters were tight, but FCB came out on top each time, with the ability and battling spirit of Joshua Kimmich tipping the balance on both occasions.
Double match-winner against BVB
The 25-year-old scored the winning goal to decide hard-fought games in both the 1-0 win in Dortmund in May and in September’s Supercup at the Allianz Arena. While his golden goal in the former was an inch-perfect lob, it was his unbreakable desire that won the day in the Supercup, sprinting half the length of the pitch to force the ball home while falling on the rebound to give Bayern a 3-2 victory.
Kimmich’s winner in the Supercup was voted by Bayern fans at the club’s Goal of the Month for September.
“Joshua Kimmich is an absolute professional, a mentality monster,” said head coach Hansi Flick of his man in the middle after the 6-2 win at Salzburg during the week in the Champions League. The Germany international showed again there that he’s in top form just in time for the Klassiker in Dortmund as he put the European champions on course for three points with two assists. “He’s always in the game, he never gives up. He’s one who always pushes but of course has enormous quality on the ball,” Flick continued.
High praise from Flick
In addition to his role as spearhead, he’s also a provider. In his 10 appearances this season, Kimmich has chipped in with seven assists, as well as three goals. It means Bayern’s almost ever-present has 27 goals and 59 assists in his 232 games after five and a half years with the club. For someone who spent a long time at right-back and holding midfield, with his role not focussed on attacking, it’s an outstanding return.
“His passes and his set pieces have enormous quality. That’s why he plays for Bayern Munich and is why we’ve also been so successful with him,” Flick added. That was again clear in the win over Salzburg, which included Kimmich’s corner for Jerome Boateng to put the Munich side 3-2 ahead.
Jerome Boateng went straight over to thank Kimmich for delivering the ball to restore Bayern’s lead in Salzburg.
The centre-back also spoke after the game on Tuesday about how crucial the victory was ahead of the clash in Dortmund. “We absolutely wanted the win here so we have confidence for the weekend,” Boateng revealed. That being said, there was no doubt that a ‘mentality monster’ like Kimmich already had that in abundance.
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