Joshua Kimmich: “Our hunger and experience will be key against Real Madrid”

Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich catches up with AS on the eve of the Champions League semi-final first leg as Real Madrid travel to Bavaria. The 29-year-old analyzes the ups and downs that Bayern have experienced in the 2023-24 season and looks forward to the test against the likes of Vinicius and Bellingham.

In the last match against Real Madrid in the 2018 semifinals you scored a goal in both games but Bayern were eliminated. Are you ready for revenge?

Both teams have radically changed since that game in 2018 which was over six years ago. We have had plenty of time to develop and both teams have experienced plenty of change.

What did you learn in that last tie against Madrid and why is playing the Bernabeu side special in Champions League?

Whenever you watch Madrid in the Champions League you see their great mentality and quality. They always have a strong side, teams with both talent and experience and we saw this in the Round of 16 games against RB Leipzig, where Leipzig in both games were perhaps the better team, but, in the end... You feel that Real Madrid have something special with the Champions League and as this is a competition about both quality and and the right mental approach.

Thanks to your goal against Arsenal, Bayern are back in the UCL semi-finals after a very mixed season. How does that make you feel?

For me personally, it was a really important goal. But I also think about the team, the club, the fans and everyone here in Munich. We are happy to face Real Madrid and I feel we have matured and we are back here again.

Why do we see two versions of Bayern under Thomas Tuchel: one in the Bundesliga and the other in the Champions League?

Unfortunately, that’s how it is. In the last few weeks we played two really good games against Arsenal and delivered a solid performance in the second game against Lazio. In the Bundesliga we have had some problems and credit to Leverkusen who have had an incredible season. Fortunately, we are still in contention for the Champions League but to be honest, that alone is not enough for a club like Bayern Munich.

For several weeks you have been playing as a right back. How has this come about?

We have had some injuries in that position and the coach decided to put me there. We did well, especially in the Champions League, and that’s why I think there won’t be changes. Playing right back is not a problem for me and it works very well in the team’s current situation.

In fact, as a right back, you’ve come up against the likes of Mbappé and Martinelli. Now you are set to face Vinicius. How do you see the Brazilian?

Unfortunately or fortunately, you usually face perhaps the other team’s best player playing as a right or left back. You get to go up against players like Mbappé or Vinicius… two of the best players in European football at the moment. I know Vini is very strong in one-on-one situations just like Kylian Mbappé.

In attack, Vinicius is dangerous, but in defense he can be a weak point for Real Madrid. Do you agree?

We all have some weaknesses and some strengths. I don’t want to talk about his weaknesses. Vinicius is a very solid player. I will have to concentrate and defend and when I have the opportunity to attack. But at the beginning the key will be to focus on defending.

You perform especially well in the big games, we saw it last year when you were the best against PSG and City. Do you feel pressure in this type of match?

Playing on the biggest stage with your club is a wonderful experience and its a dream come true to be involved in these games. It’s something really special to play against Real Madrid and something that we’re all looking forward to.

Do you still get nervous before a game like this?

Not nervous, but naturally tense. I think because you can feel that it’s a different game than a normal league game. You are very focused, when you play these games you have to be and perform at the highest level.

Bayern will also have to keep an eye on Jude Bellingham. Have you been surprised by his impact on Madrid?

I’m definitely not surprised that he has made a big impact, but a little in that he has scored so many goals. I think he’s an amazing player. Having that mentality, at his age, makes him special. He fits into a team like Madrid very very well.

At 29 years old you are the leader of Bayern and the German team. What is important in these big games?

For these games against Real Madrid, one has to remain calm. It is also very important that we do not limit ourselves to only defending. We also want to attack and score goals but you always have to find the right balance. We have some players who have a lot of experience, we also have some who are very hungry and who have not yet won the big trophy. The balance between that hunger and experience could be the key. We have to put everything on the table and go for it.

Your contract with Bayern ends in 2025. How important is it for you to know who will succeed Thomas Tuchel as coach in the summer?

This is a really interesting question for me, but it’s not the most important thing right now. I know that when you sign a contract you don’t sign it with the coach but with the club. For me, the most important thing is the club, not just the coach. But of course it’s also important to know what the coach thinks about you and the team. Other people in the club worry about choosing the coach.

The top favorite is Ralf Rangnick.

I don’t know him as a coach. I had him as sports director during that my time with Leipzig. He was really powerful figure there. It was fantastic that he and coach Alex Zorniger wanted me and brought me from Stuttgart’s U19 team to Leipzig. Rangnick was very successful at Hoffenheim and also Leipzig. Now the Austrian team is playing very well with him as coach and have qualified for Euro 2024.

Bayern would like to renew your contract but we know that you are also linked with other important clubs. What is your plan?

I want to talk to Bayern. And when I do that, I won’t go out and talk to the press about it but at the moment, I’m only focused on the two games against Real Madrid.

Barcelona are reported to be interested in you. There have also been rumors about Real Madrid. Can you imagine playing in Spain in the future?

At the moment I’m not thinking about this. As I already said, I will speak to Bayern first. But of course Barcelona and Real Madrid are both amazing clubs with an amazing history.

You no longer have an agent. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

The advantage is that you can speak for yourself, but this can also be a disadvantage. Sometimes it’s hard to talk about yourself as you become responsible for your decisions. This is the most important thing for me is listening directly to what those in charge say and being able to speak directly with the club and the coach. This helps me make a very good decision for my family and me.

What things interest you in your free time?

I don’t have much free time for myself (laughs). When I’m not on the football field, I’m at home with my family and I enjoy time with them. I have four children and I also enjoy sports such as tennis and padel. But during this time of the season, pursuing my hobbies is not always possible.

You are a big tennis fan. What have you been able to learn from Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Novak Djokovic?

All three are impressive. They have spent almost 20 years performing at the highest level. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic... All three have dominated the Grand Slams in the last 20 years. It’s impressive to see how they manage their body and their way of thinking. Tennis players must have an exceptional mentality as they are always alone on the court and can’t blame a teammate or a coach. They have to make all the decisions and have to deal with everything which is draining mentally. At that level, your mental focus has to be outstanding.

Do you also mean that when you celebrate goals with Wawrinka's gesture of putting his fingers to his temple?

Exactly. I saw Stan Wawrinka celebrating that way. For me it is a sign of believing in yourself, in your strength and also having confidence in yourself. In football you have your teammates, the technical, tactical and physical part is important, of course. But it is also very important to have a good mentality. That's why I celebrate my goals like this.

Do you see yourself moving into coaching after hanging up your boots?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Being on the bench after hanging up my boots could be interesting. But, on the other hand, it can also be attractive to break the rhythm, to do something completely different. I hope to still have a long career ahead of me and to be able to think about this decision in a few more years.

You played alongside Xabi Alonso at Bayern Munich and now he is very successful as a coach at Leverkusen.

When I played alongside him I sometimes saw him talking and acting like a coach. This was very impressive. He always knew his position, but also that of his teammates and he always knew where you were and where you needed to be. He didn’t just focus on positioning but has so much insight about our rivals. I remember in a game against Dortmund where Thomas Tuchel was the coach back then, they changed four or five players and Xabi was the first to make us aware when they amended their tactics. He was always one step ahead. It was also amazing how he spoke to me when I was a young player.