Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich helped his team recover from an early deficit and take command of its DFB-Pokal first round match against second-tier side VfL Osnabrück — catching the eye particularly with a series of lethal lofted passes, one of which resulted in Bayern’s equalizer.
It is something of a Kimmich trademark, and maybe more that than a particular gameplan crafted for this occasion, as suggested by the DFB’s English commentary of the match.
“Of course we train that, but I’m not
arrogant enough to say that he does them brilliantly because we practice them in training,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany relayed in postgame comments captured via @iMiaSanMia. “He has them in him, they’re a big part of his game.”
However, the approach certainly did appear to target where Osnabrück was vulnerable, and one of several ways Bayern tried to unlock the defense with runners in behind. Kimmich enjoys this role pulling the strings from his No. 6 position, but in Kompany’s fluid system, others might be asked to step up and deliver.
“He’s not the only one that can do them,” Kompany added. “Pavlo can, Tom Bischof can. What’s important is that we make the runs, you need quality for that — and Kimmich has it.”
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