Glowing report for Bayern's Kimmich
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
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Joshua Kimmich scored his first UEFA Champions League goals in Bayern's 5-0 win against Rostov, with Thomas Müller not the only one to be awed by the 21-year-old's attacking prowess.
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Having scored his first goals for both Germany and Bayern in the last ten days, Joshua Kimmich is clearly on a roll, finding the net twice as his club beat Rostov 5-0 in their opening UEFA Champions League group stage game.
His first UEFA Champions League goals in the bag, along with a Man of the Match award, the 21-year-old told UEFA.com: "Every goal gives you a wonderful feeling, but to score twice in a game isn't something you do very often. I can't remember the last time I scored twice – maybe at youth level!"
Encouraged by recent form, Carlo Ancelotti handed the defence-minded Kimmich a more attacking midfield role than the former Stuttgart trainee was used to under Josep Guardiola and Joachim Löw. The Italian coach's choice was clearly vindicated. "Joshua is playing very well – he is in great shape," Ancelotti said after Tuesday's match. "He has no problems playing in midfield, or indeed in any position."
Dictating the game's tempo and looking to drive forward whenever in possession, Kimmich's confidence was evident in the 18th minute when – despite Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and Javi Martínez towering in the box – he opted to shoot from a direct free-kick out near the corner flag, his curling effort only inches away from the top corner.
He was a good deal further off with a left-footed effort from distance a few minutes later, but kept plugging away, making runs and exploiting space. The goals came in time – the first from a run into the box to meet a low Douglas Costa cross; the second a set-piece headed in across goal from the near post.
His instincts are great, but what is impressing most about Kimmich is the maturity he is showing, and his eagerness to accept the challenge of playing for a club which demands perfection, and never sits back – even at 4-0 up.
"We never lost focus." he said. "The fifth goal in the 90th minute showed that we are always hungry. It's also important that we haven't yet conceded [in five official games this season in all competitions]. It just shows how good our defence is."
Forward Thomas Müller, another scorer on the night, suggested he may be out to get some goalscoring tips from Kimmich. "He had to work hard to get into those positions, which isn't easy from a defensive position," he said, adding – only half-jokingly: "I will have to have a chat with him and check out his runs and goals carefully."