A Christmas cracker - Joshua Kimmich scores the FC Bayern December 2024 Goal of the Month

Had Joshua Kimmich glanced at the statistics in the 36th minute of the home game against RB Leipzig, he might have chosen to advance Bayern's attack in a way that had greater chances of success. Instead, the midfield workhorse had a go with a powerful shot from around 25 metres out and was rewarded for his bravery, as his long-range rocket flew past RB goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi into the top right corner to make it 3-1. According to data, the shot had a goal probability (xGoals) of just 2.9 percent – in other words, fewer than three out of 100 similar attempts would end up in the back of the net. So, it wasn't impossible but was certainly rare, which is why it's rightly been voted the FC Bayern December 2024 Goal of the Month.

44% vote for Kimmich

Kimmich's wonder goal received 43.8 percent of the votes from supporters of the German record champions, putting it ahead of Michael Olise's solo effort to complete the 5-1 win over Shakhtar (31%) and Konrad Laimer (17%), who made it 2-1 in the game against Leipzig with a volley shortly before Kimmich.

Kimmich's goal crowned by landmark win

The effort against Leipzig was Kimmich's first goal of the season, but that wasn't the only cause for celebration for the 29-year-old in this match. The Germany captain's special goal also helped him to his 200th Bundesliga win in just his 277th appearance. Only David Alaba and Thomas Müller were quicker to reach this mark (272 and 275 games respectively).

Kimmich and Co face their first competitive match of the new year on Saturday evening – here are the facts: