Kimmich: "Scoring goals isn't everything"

Bayern München were easy winners in their opening game of this season’s Champions League. Bayern cruised to a 5-0 home victory against last season’s Russian Premier League runners-up FC Rostov. One player in particular stood out alongside goalscorers Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and Juan Bernat: Joshua Kimmich scored a brace in the second half as he made it 3-0 and 4-0 to FC Bayern, crowning an all-round excellent performance. Kimmich also had more touches of the ball than any other player on the field.

It is currently all going like clockwork for the 21-year-old international, particularly in front of goal. Kimmich scored his first goal in a Germany shirt to grab his team’s third goal in their World Cup qualifier against Norway. He also hit the back of the net last weekend to seal a 2-0 victory for Bayern against Schalke and has now followed that up with two goals in the Champions League. The all-rounder speaks to DFB.de about his team’s successful start to their Champions League campaign, his goal-scoring form and his swift transition into the Bayern first team and the Germany team.

Interviewer: Mr Kimmich, is it fair to say you’re on fire right now?

Joshua Kimmich: Yes. As far as scoring goals is concerned, it’s going well. I hope that there are more to come, but that is not the only thing that’s important.

Interviewer: What do you mean by that?

Joshua Kimmich: Scoring goals isn’t everything. Other things have to happen so that you are satisfied with how you are helping the team. But when you do that by scoring goals, it makes it all the more special.

Interviewer: You’ve already scored as many goals for Bayern in the Champions League and the Bundesliga as you did for RB Leipzig and in 3. Liga put together. How do you explain your newfound goal-scoring prowess?

Kimmich: I can’t explain it. Perhaps the team are creating more chances for me here or maybe I’m just getting into goal-scoring positions more. At Leipzig I was always moving around the edge of the area and never had the ball inside the box where it’s most dangerous. I’m doing that more now.

Interviewer: Was your first goal for the national team in Norway important for you?

Kimmich: It gives you a bit of confidence when you score, no matter how you score. Now and again during a match you think to yourself, just hit it! And often when you score, you might get another one as well.

Interviewer: Philipp Lahm praised your shooting after your goal against Schalke last Friday. But you thought he was being sarcastic. Surely you can’t still think that?

Kimmich: I was a bit shocked by his statement but I still thanked him. I was pleased that he gave me praise. Of course that gives me confidence to go and score more goals.

Interviewer: You played like a leader on the field against Rostow who dominated the game. What did you think of the match yourself?

Kimmich: When I play, I try to call for the ball. I want to get the ball and do something to help the team. That’s my aim.

Interviewer: How much do you think you have improved since your move to FC Bayern in the summer of 2015?

Kimmich: In the second half of last season I was in the starting eleven for matches more often. I played a few times in the first half of the season but not so often. But you can’t forget how far I have come. I was playing in the 2.Bundesliga just a year ago where a lot less was expected of me.

Interviewer: Everything has happened so quickly, does that shock you?

Kimmich: It’s all happened really quickly and it’s a lot to take in. But it’s football. It can go brilliantly but things can also go downhill really quickly.

Interviewer: A few people are still confused about the pronunciation of your first name. How do you say it?

Kimmich: I’ve already said this so many times. My name is Josua.

Interviewer: What do your teammates call you?

Kimmich: Everyone calls me something different, some call me Jo, others Josh, Josu or Josua.

Interviewer: They say still waters run deep, but according to Manuel Neuer you’re not that quiet. What are you really like?

Kimmich: It depends on who’s around me. Of course, when I’m around friends, I’m different.

Interviewer: You're very level-headed, doesn’t anything ruffle your feathers?

Kimmich: Of course my friends know how to, but I’m someone has a clear view of things.

Interviewer: Have you had to do your initiation of singing because you scored your first goal?

Kimmich: Not yet, luckily.

Interviewer: Not even after scoring two goals?

Kimmich: No one has said anything yet - I hope I get out of it. I've scored two now I think I won’t have to.

Interviewer: And against Ingolstadt will you score your third?

Kimmich: We’ll see.