Bayern ready to beat big teams, says Kimmich

Source: Xinhua| 2017-10-19 19:48:41|Editor: Yang Yi
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By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The audience rewarded Joshua Kimmich with warm applause when the 22-year-old walked off the home pitch in the 80th minute after scoring the second goal for Bayern Munich in a group match against Scottish underdog Celtic Glasgow (3-0).

However, serious challenges are still ahead of the 2017 German champion despite two victories under new coach Jupp Heynckes.

"We will know what is possible this season after the tough games," Kimmich said in advance of Bayern's duel against national league rivals Leipzig next week (German Cup and Bundesliga), followed by Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga), Glasgow and Paris St. Germain in the Champions League.

"Today's victory was another step forward, and I think we are ready to win all of our games and games against the big clubs," said Kimmich.

Some pundits including former German national keeper Oliver Kahn are in doubt about Bayern after Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti got the sack two weeks ago following a disastrous 3-0 defeat in Paris. "I am not sure of what Bayern can deliver this season. Regarding the future we have to wait and see," said the former Bayern keeper.

And Heynckes is also keeping his feet still. "Other teams in Europe are still miles away. We should not start talking about the Champions League title," the 1974 world champion said.

Yet, the team and coach enjoy the new enthusiasm. "Jupp Heynckes has a clear plan, and the team is following him. He knows exactly what we need at present," German international Jerome Boateng said.

Bayern feels comfortable with the 72-year-old Heynckes as the 2013 Champions League winner introduced a 4-2-3-1 system, which he used when winning the Champions League four years ago.

Heynckes is counting on established forces such as the defenders Boateng, Mats Hummels, a solid midfield line-up with Thiago and Javi Martinez and Arjen Robben, Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski.

Yet Kimmich is on his way to a world class level, as pundits predict the Swabian born Youngster as the successor of the retired team captain Philipp Lahm.

Kimmich has a higher level Lahm had at the same age, said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. For Lothar Matthaeus, Kimmich has an advantage when it comes to the attacking game, saying "he is better than Lahm in the offense; he will have a great career on a very high level."

In the 2017/2018 season, Kimmich has scored three goals and delivered four assists. He provides a convincing performance in man-to-man duels and a precise passing game as he is regarded to be the best right back in German football.

On top, Kimmich is an option for a midfield position.

Kimmich is not only one of Bayern's cornerstones but essential for German national coach Joachim Loew and the 2014 World Cup winners ambitions regarding the 2018 World Cup. 23 of his 24 internationals for Germany, Kimmich played over the full 90 minutes and several times was Germany's team captain.

"He is at a young age a great footballer already. Joshua has a positive personality and a positive effect on our team," Loew emphasized.

Kimmich said it is not his goal to get to the top of the team's hierarchy ladder. "I am 22, and there is still a long way to go. Things like that come naturally when you deliver a good performance on a constant level. I can influence my performance; everything else is beyond my influence," Kimmich said.

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