In the DFB jersey and at FC Bayern, Joshua Kimmich plays as a right-back again. After initial difficulties, he seems to accept the role. Not only the DFB and FCB could benefit from this, but above all he himself.
On Saturday, Joshua Kimmich was given the toughest task for right-backs in world football. Kimmich had to guard Kylian Mbappé in the DFB’s 2-0 win over France. But that’s not all. In addition, he should provide another intelligent passing station in the offensive, which is already full of central midfielders, and finally ensure that the French are overwhelmed.
It certainly wasn’t a perfect game from Kimmich. He couldn’t take Mbappé completely out of the game, allowing himself to be thrown off balance two or three times by the exceptional French player’s quick hooks – and once causing him to appear dangerously in front of Marc-André ter Stegen’s goal. But quite often Mbappé was left behind against Kimmich and the offensive also benefited from the newly installed old right-back.
“Very alert, very clever” – Nagelsmann’s special praise for Kimmich
National coach Julian Nagelsmann received special praise for the performance: Kimmich “played very well in Lyon – offensively and defensively”. Of course he had “a speed deficit” against Mbappé, but he also “defended very cleverly and very vigilantly in space”. In general, “Josh is a very important player for us,” said Nagelsmann. It should be a pleasant praise for Kimmich at a time when criticism is pouring in from all sides for the player who was the poster boy for the national team and FC Bayern for years.
The question has been looming for some time as to whether the 29-year-old in central midfield really deserves the label of “absolute world class” that has long attached to him. To be more precise, there has been increased discussion about this since not only the national team, but also FC Bayern have appeared less convincing than usual and seem to have no real playing philosophy.
World class? The statistics raise questions
It is at least highly doubtful whether this problem can be attributed to Kimmich alone. After all, according to Opta statistics, hardly any other midfielder in Europe’s top leagues prepared as many goals last year (0.27 per game) and created as many shot opportunities (4.76 per 90 minutes) for his teammates as Kimmich. He also covers an exceptional amount of space with his passes.
But these numbers are juxtaposed with a passing rate that is far away from the world’s best, and tackle values, offensive but above all defensive, which make it clear why Thomas Tuchel was so eager to sign a “holding six” in the summer. And finally, it is noticeable that with Tuchel and Nagelsmann, two tactically experienced coaches took Kimmich out of the midfield center in order to solve problems in their team’s game.
Right-back as a demotion or an opportunity
While Nagelsmann has an oversupply in the center and clear deficiencies in defense, Tuchel’s main problems are the build-up of the game – actually the most important element in the FC Bayern coach’s game. And so both coaches came to the same conclusion: Kimmich moved to the position where he matured into a world class player.
A demotion in the eyes of Kimmich? At least the 29-year-old had a pretty clear idea of his best position before the season: “I’m a six,” he said at the time. Even though he emphasized in January with regard to the right-back plans in the national team: “You always have the feeling that I’m someone who refuses the position. I’ve never said that I don’t enjoy it, have I I don’t want to play that.”
Nevertheless, Kimmich didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about playing his old role again at FC Bayern, at least until the end of the season. And so it took a little getting used to. In the games against RB Leipzig and SC Freiburg, Kimmich wasn’t really well integrated into the game, had few touches of the ball and didn’t take part in the offensive particularly well.
“Mia-san-Mia” in der DNA
Most recently against Darmstadt and Mainz 05, Kimmich performed completely differently: In both games, right-back Kimmich touched the ball more, played more passes than any other FC Bayern player and also made a total of 17 shots, which resulted in four goals. That is also a top value.
It looks like Kimmich’s fate will be back at right-back in the near future. The 29-year-old recently showed that he can bring in what he has learned since moving to midfield, that he may have even more influence on the game in this position and can play to his strengths.
And it’s not just about play: “The absolute desire to win in every situation,” Nagelsmann explained the advantages of his protégé. With this style, Kimmich “sometimes gets on one or two people’s nerves,” but it is “very valuable and contagious for everyone.” A built-in winning gene, the “Mia-san-Mia” – a trait that is needed in the national team and at FC Bayern. No matter what position.
About the video: Nagelsmann doesn’t want to slow down the euphoria surrounding the DFB team
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Source: BR24Sport March 26, 2024 – 6:30 p.m
