Germany international Joshua Kimmich is currently enjoying all walks of life in football, putting in top performances for the national side, in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. On Saturday (20:45 CEST), the 21-year-old midfielder will face the Czech Republic in Germany’s next World Cup qualifier. In an interview with DFB.de, Kimmich spoke about his new-found goal threat, his role with FC Bayern München and the national team, and his memories from the European Championship in France.
DFB.de: It’s been a sparkling season for you so far, with plenty of game time and, of course, lots of goals. Where did this goalscoring instinct come from all of a sudden?
Joshua Kimmich: It’s a great feeling to be able to score goals. I wasn’t able to do that quite as well before, and then suddenly I was scoring goals for the national team, in the Bundesliga and even in the Champions League. I always enjoy my football a lot, but it’s that little bit more enjoyable if you manage to get yourself on the scoresheet every once in a while. Getting important goals that help the team is even better.
DFB.de: Has your role at FC Bayern changed this season?
Kimmich: I’ve had a more attacking role so far under Carlo Ancelotti. I’m not playing in defence or in defensive midfield any more, but in more of a central position. I’ve been trying to get into the box more often, and it’s been working well so far.
DFB.de: With every good performance and every goal you score, whether it’s for Germany or in the Bundesliga, expectations have been increasing.
Kimmich: That’s true. I came to FC Bayern from the second division last year, and not too many people knew who I was, but that’s all different now. I played a few games last season and came back from the Euros as an international player. It’s certainly meant that the demands and expectations of me have changed. But I’m still just really happy to play any minute that I can get out on the pitch.
DFB.de: How do you deal with this pressure?
Kimmich: The pressure hasn’t really increased, because I probably put most pressure on myself, but the level of attention has grown. My name comes up more often in the media, and I’m being asked for autographs more often. That wasn’t the case a year ago, when I could still get on the team bus without anyone knowing who I was (laughs).
DFB.de: And how do you avoid the risk of letting your levels drop?
Kimmich: Both with Bayern and with the national team, I have a lot of team-mates who have achieved a lot more than me - most of them are world champions, European champions or Champions League winners. They have a lot more to live up to. Just because I’m now playing regularly and scoring the odd goal or two, that’s still nothing compared to Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller or Xabi Alonso.
DFB.de: You prefer to play in midfield for FC Bayern München but you’re playing at right-back for Germany. To what extent has your flexibility helped you progress?
Kimmich: It’s helped a lot. Without this flexibility, Pep Guardiola probably wouldn’t have tried me out in defence last season and then I definitely wouldn’t have got as many appearances and wouldn’t have been called up to the national team. It’s an advantage for me, both for club and country, that I can play in so many positions and that the manager has the option to play me there.
DFB.de: It also helped you at the Euros. Amongst other things you scored a penalty in the quarter-final against Italy. Do you actually enjoy the fast pace of your career or do you feel a bit overwhelmed?
Kimmich: I’ve dealt with it well so far but I haven’t really given it much thought. Last year it went from one special moment to another. I signed for FC Bayern, came on as a substitute, got picked for the starting eleven, played in the Champions League and then I played for the national team in the Euros. I try to always think positively and that gives me confidence. I don’t think about whether it’s the Champions League or the semi-final of the Euros, I just try to enjoy every moment.
DFB.de: What fond memories do you have of the Euros this summer?
Kimmich: Losing to France in the semi-final was difficult and we would have loved to win the tournament. But playing at the Euros was a great experience for me. It was great for my development as a player as I got to play alongside some very talented footballers. I look back very fondly on my time in France.
DFB.de: From the Euros to the World Cup. More specifically, the World Cup qualification campaign. On Saturday you face the strongest opponent in your group. How important is it to respect your opponent Czech Republic in this game?
Kimmich: We will go into the match like any other. We want to win. Czech Republic will sit deep therefore we will have to work hard to create chances, move the ball around quickly and then make the most of these chances. We have to dominate the match but we have to be aware that every team can still be dangerous on the counter-attack or from set-pieces.
DFB.de: You are very ambitious and you want to win every match regardless of whether you’re playing for FC Bayern, Germany or even if it’s just in training.
Kimmich: I’ve hated losing ever since I was a kid. I’m still the same now. It always takes me a few minutes, maybe even a few hours, to process a loss in training. When I do something, I give 100 percent. It’s not always a good thing, you should enjoy it too. But my ambition has helped my career tremendously. I want to give my all in every training session and in every match. I want to keep learning. By doing so, you’ll be a successful footballer.
[mmc/ej]
Germany international Joshua Kimmich is currently enjoying all walks of life in football, putting in top performances for the national side, in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. On Saturday (20:45 CEST), the 21-year-old midfielder will face the Czech Republic in Germany’s next World Cup qualifier. In an interview with DFB.de, Kimmich spoke about his new-found goal threat, his role with FC Bayern München and the national team, and his memories from the European Championship in France.
DFB.de: It’s been a sparkling season for you so far, with plenty of game time and, of course, lots of goals. Where did this goalscoring instinct come from all of a sudden?
Joshua Kimmich: It’s a great feeling to be able to score goals. I wasn’t able to do that quite as well before, and then suddenly I was scoring goals for the national team, in the Bundesliga and even in the Champions League. I always enjoy my football a lot, but it’s that little bit more enjoyable if you manage to get yourself on the scoresheet every once in a while. Getting important goals that help the team is even better.
DFB.de: Has your role at FC Bayern changed this season?
Kimmich: I’ve had a more attacking role so far under Carlo Ancelotti. I’m not playing in defence or in defensive midfield any more, but in more of a central position. I’ve been trying to get into the box more often, and it’s been working well so far.
DFB.de: With every good performance and every goal you score, whether it’s for Germany or in the Bundesliga, expectations have been increasing.
Kimmich: That’s true. I came to FC Bayern from the second division last year, and not too many people knew who I was, but that’s all different now. I played a few games last season and came back from the Euros as an international player. It’s certainly meant that the demands and expectations of me have changed. But I’m still just really happy to play any minute that I can get out on the pitch.
DFB.de: How do you deal with this pressure?
Kimmich: The pressure hasn’t really increased, because I probably put most pressure on myself, but the level of attention has grown. My name comes up more often in the media, and I’m being asked for autographs more often. That wasn’t the case a year ago, when I could still get on the team bus without anyone knowing who I was (laughs).
DFB.de: And how do you avoid the risk of letting your levels drop?
Kimmich: Both with Bayern and with the national team, I have a lot of team-mates who have achieved a lot more than me - most of them are world champions, European champions or Champions League winners. They have a lot more to live up to. Just because I’m now playing regularly and scoring the odd goal or two, that’s still nothing compared to Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller or Xabi Alonso.
DFB.de: You prefer to play in midfield for FC Bayern München but you’re playing at right-back for Germany. To what extent has your flexibility helped you progress?
Kimmich: It’s helped a lot. Without this flexibility, Pep Guardiola probably wouldn’t have tried me out in defence last season and then I definitely wouldn’t have got as many appearances and wouldn’t have been called up to the national team. It’s an advantage for me, both for club and country, that I can play in so many positions and that the manager has the option to play me there.
DFB.de: It also helped you at the Euros. Amongst other things you scored a penalty in the quarter-final against Italy. Do you actually enjoy the fast pace of your career or do you feel a bit overwhelmed?
Kimmich: I’ve dealt with it well so far but I haven’t really given it much thought. Last year it went from one special moment to another. I signed for FC Bayern, came on as a substitute, got picked for the starting eleven, played in the Champions League and then I played for the national team in the Euros. I try to always think positively and that gives me confidence. I don’t think about whether it’s the Champions League or the semi-final of the Euros, I just try to enjoy every moment.
DFB.de: What fond memories do you have of the Euros this summer?
Kimmich: Losing to France in the semi-final was difficult and we would have loved to win the tournament. But playing at the Euros was a great experience for me. It was great for my development as a player as I got to play alongside some very talented footballers. I look back very fondly on my time in France.
DFB.de: From the Euros to the World Cup. More specifically, the World Cup qualification campaign. On Saturday you face the strongest opponent in your group. How important is it to respect your opponent Czech Republic in this game?
Kimmich: We will go into the match like any other. We want to win. Czech Republic will sit deep therefore we will have to work hard to create chances, move the ball around quickly and then make the most of these chances. We have to dominate the match but we have to be aware that every team can still be dangerous on the counter-attack or from set-pieces.
DFB.de: You are very ambitious and you want to win every match regardless of whether you’re playing for FC Bayern, Germany or even if it’s just in training.
Kimmich: I’ve hated losing ever since I was a kid. I’m still the same now. It always takes me a few minutes, maybe even a few hours, to process a loss in training. When I do something, I give 100 percent. It’s not always a good thing, you should enjoy it too. But my ambition has helped my career tremendously. I want to give my all in every training session and in every match. I want to keep learning. By doing so, you’ll be a successful footballer.
