Debate of principle at FC Bayern: Eberl contradicts Kimmich | OneFootball

Up until the 60th minute, it was a commanding performance by FC Bayern against Eintracht Frankfurt. 3:0 lead, control of the game, dominance. But a single scene shortly before the end was enough to trigger a fundamental debate that goes far beyond this game

With the score at 3:1, Munich came under pressure from aggressive Frankfurt pressing. Jonas Urbig initially kept his cool, curved around two opponents in his own penalty area and then played to Joshua Kimmich. The midfield boss looked for a way forward, but slipped away and ended up playing across his own six-yard box towards Minjae Kim. Arnaud Kalimuendo sprinted in between – 2:3, and suddenly it became unnecessarily tense

For sporting director Max Eberl, the scene was a prime example of exaggerated idealism. „We could have saved ourselves that,“ he summed up clearly. His demand: In moments like that, you also have to „extinguish“ the ball uncompromisingly forwards instead of looking for a playful solution by hook or by crook. „I know you want to solve a lot of things playfully, but that’s a bit too much,“ said the former defender – and admitted with a wink that it used to be „more my game“

Kimmich counters: Bayern’s DNA must not be watered down

photo: IMAGO

Joshua Kimmich took a more nuanced view of the matter. Yes, in principle it could make sense to simply clear the ball. „In general, yes,“ he said – only to immediately qualify. „On the other hand, it’s our style of play that we want to play, that we also try to find the playful solution when we’re under pressure.“

For Kimmich, it’s about more than just a single scene. If Bayern were to regularly rely on long clearances, it would have strategic consequences. „Then the opponents will press more and more,“ he explained. If the record champions signal that they can’t find solutions under pressure, it will be easier to play them. „Accordingly, we should keep this DNA.“

Kim out of criticism, Urbig in focus

Remarkable: Eberl surprisingly took Minjae Kim out of the firing line. „Minjae had nothing to do with the goal,“ he clarified. The entire move was „hara-kiri“ – implicitly putting the focus on Kimmich in particular

Eberl also did not want to go into the question of whether Kimmich would have made different decisions with Manuel Neuer in goal. Kimmich himself backed Jonas Urbig. „I think Jonas is doing very well,“ he said, referring to his qualities in building up play, including targeted long balls like the one against PSV recently

The scene against Frankfurt was ultimately inconsequential – but it reveals an arc of tension between playing with conviction and pragmatically securing results. Between DNA and risk management. A discussion that is likely to be held more often at FC Bayern.