Munich – Joshua Kimmich must have been driving up Säbener Straße with a big heart in the past few days. Recently knighted by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann as the new DFB captain, the all-rounder has repaid the trust with a strong performance. In particular, Kimmich took charge and set the tone in the 2:2 win over the Netherlands.
FC Bayern: Kompany wants Kimmich to continue playing as number six
Has his club coach seen Kimmich’s brilliance at right-back? “I watch a lot of football, but I hardly watch international matches,” Vincent Kompany said at a press conference on Friday. And there was a reason for that. Kompany’s internet was on strike. “If you move, something can go wrong,” the Belgian explained, smiling at the press corps.
But he has certainly noticed Kimmich’s performance at right-back. But that hasn’t stopped him from preferring the 29-year-old as a midfielder, despite Josip Stanišić’s injury. “I wouldn’t be affected by that,” Kompany said of Kimmich’s split performances at right-back. “I see it as a solution to what he can do.” It’s this flexibility that makes Kimmich a top player.
For the big game, you need to practice for the game.
But the truth also includes: The tinkerers of the Munich squad, especially his predecessor Thomas Tuchel, actually reserved the midfield spot for someone completely different: the 50 million man João Palhinha. When the new Fulham FC signing was introduced, he said, “I’m looking forward to going out on the pitch with the players and wearing the shirt.” But so far, with a few exceptions, he has only been standing on the training pitch with his teammates and wearing only the training shirt.
In the Bundesliga, Palinha was only able to do what he likes for 15 minutes against Freiburg (2-0), which is to steal the ball from the opponents like Javi Martinez. The 29-year-old is not yet in the starting lineup. This raises the question: If not for the kill on Saturday (Live on Sky and AZ Live Ticker at 6.30pm) Then when? Ultimately, Palhinya will need match practice if he is to play in the Champions League against tough guys like Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona, as he will need to shore up a shaky central defence against Robert Lewandowski and Randal Kolo Mouany.
Bayern rookie Palhinya: “I’m ready to play”
But even against newcomers from the far north, the midfielder is initially threatened by a bench spot. Asked about Palinha, Kompany said all his players were candidates for the starting XI, but at the same time he made it clear that “it’s not about rotation yet”. Changes should only be made when one or the other Bayern star wears the England shirt.
“It’s important that every player is available and everyone is ready.” Added the former defender: “There are still too many games left.” Palhinha offers only limited comfort, having only been given 45 minutes of playing time under Roberto Martinez for Portugal. And despite the fact that he declared upon his arrival at Bayern that “I am ready to play.”
FC Bayern: Kompany praises rival Pavlovic
In Portugal, Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal) is the favourite, while youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic is the latest record champion. Kompany praised Palinha’s rival, who recently scored his first international goal, saying: “He is definitely a very exciting player who is going one step further every day. “He is a very interesting player for us.”
It seems more exciting than winning the Premier League. This may be largely due to the Bayern manager’s playing style so far. Against Wolfsburg and the Sporting Club, Kompany has chosen an attacking approach without any real permission. Does the new coach need a “holding six” like Palhinha for his philosophy? The answer to this question will come in the coming weeks. Then it will be seen whether the other contenders for sixth place, Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka, will be given priority.
