Joshua Kimmich can be very happy with his 2015/16 season so far with an immaculate performance in the U21 European Championship and 19 appearances for Bayern Munich, but the 19-year-old is striving for more game-time with the record champions.
While he is an undisputed protagonist in the U21 team at holding midfield, the man who came from RB Leipzig he has played many different positions for the league leaders, most recently as centre back. Pep Guardiola and comrade Holger Badstuber were happy with his performance there. In an interview with DFB.de, Kimmich spoke about the upcoming DFB Cup quarter-final against VfL Bochum, his role at Bayern and the tasks ahead with the U21s.
DFB.de: Mr. Kimmich, Bayern in Bochum, the record cup winners against a second division side. Is it a clear result?
Joshua Kimmich: Of course we are clear favourites for the final and we will embrace that. We want to play confidently in Bochum and get into the semi-finals with no problems. Above all, we can’t underestimate our opponents as Bochum will make it hard for us in their own stadium. We won’t let that happen.
DFB.de: You’ve made two appearances in the cup so far, against Nöttingen in the first round and then against Darmstadt in the Round of 16. Both of those times the opposition was also the underdog.
Kimmich: Yes, but as I said before, it is often especially difficult against a lesser opposition. We must be very alert and have no doubt about the fact that we will get to the next round.
DFB.de:You have made 19 appearances so far this season, including 12 Bundesliga and five Champions League run-outs. Are you happy about this?
Kimmich: Of course I want to be in the team every week and ideally start. The fact that I’ve played five of my six Champions League games this season shows a good development. To play with the very best on an international stage is important. My goal is to continue make an impression is training and to force the coach into making some tough decisions.
Joshua Kimmich can be very happy with his 2015/16 season so far with an immaculate performance in the U21 European Championship and 19 appearances for Bayern Munich, but the 19-year-old is striving for more game-time with the record champions.
While he is an undisputed protagonist in the U21 team at holding midfield, the man who came from RB Leipzig he has played many different positions for the league leaders, most recently as centre back. Pep Guardiola and comrade Holger Badstuber were happy with his performance there. In an interview with DFB.de, Kimmich spoke about the upcoming DFB Cup quarter-final against VfL Bochum, his role at Bayern and the tasks ahead with the U21s.
DFB.de: Mr. Kimmich, Bayern in Bochum, the record cup winners against a second division side. Is it a clear result?
Joshua Kimmich: Of course we are clear favourites for the final and we will embrace that. We want to play confidently in Bochum and get into the semi-finals with no problems. Above all, we can’t underestimate our opponents as Bochum will make it hard for us in their own stadium. We won’t let that happen.
DFB.de: You’ve made two appearances in the cup so far, against Nöttingen in the first round and then against Darmstadt in the Round of 16. Both of those times the opposition was also the underdog.
Kimmich: Yes, but as I said before, it is often especially difficult against a lesser opposition. We must be very alert and have no doubt about the fact that we will get to the next round.
DFB.de:You have made 19 appearances so far this season, including 12 Bundesliga and five Champions League run-outs. Are you happy about this?
Kimmich: Of course I want to be in the team every week and ideally start. The fact that I’ve played five of my six Champions League games this season shows a good development. To play with the very best on an international stage is important. My goal is to continue make an impression is training and to force the coach into making some tough decisions.
DFB.de:With Jerome Boateng, Medhi Benatia and Javi Martinez out long-term, you were put in central defence in the games against Hoffenheim and Leverkusen. How easy has it been to adjust to this position?
Kimmich: It was slightly unfamiliar but playing many different systems under our coach is nothing new. I will play where the coach wants me to. The most important thing is just to play.
DFB.de:Horst Hrubesch plays you in defensive midfield with the U21s.
Kimmich: Yes I have a solid grip on the holding midfield position in that side. A feel most at home in the nerve centre between attack and defence and I play my best for the team there.
DFB.de: Last year you played all five European Championship qualification games and sit top of group 7 having won every fixture. What are the main strengths of the team?
Kimmich: It’s really fin with the boys. We have a lot of good lads in the team and we all get on very well with one another. That’s showed by our performance on the pitch and we’re able to put the coach ’s plans in action when we play.
DFB.de: On 24th March you meet the Faroes in a qualification game. Would anything other than a win be a disappointment?
Kimmich: Yes, you could say that. In the return match we won 6-0 away and we have to play like that again. We want to start 2016 with a home win.
DFB.de: After that it’s Russia in Rostov-on-Don, the only side that Germany are yet to face. What are your expectations of the trip?
Kimmich: Russia are always an unpleasant opponent. I know that from facing them in other youth teams. It’s necessary to call upon our best performance. If we do that, I am sure that we will leave the pitch as victors.
DFB.de: This year has a special occasion in store: The Olympic Games. Have you thought about that yet?
Kimmich: No, I am fully concentrated on my Bayern and U21 career. If we win against The Faroe Islands and Russia then we will have qualified for EURO 2017 in Poland. After that, we can start to think about the Olympic Games. It will be a highlight and the fulfillment of a dream to play in Rio.
