Joshua Kimmich reflects on ‘the most intense first half of my career’ against PSG | OneFootball

Bayern Munich’s resounding statement in last night’s Champions League victory wasn’t an easily made one. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich noted that – even before the German giants were forced to defend shorthanded for the entire second half – the opening 45 minutes against the defending UCL champions was one of the most intense halves of football he had ever experienced. 

“After 25 minutes, I looked up [at the stadium clock] and thought I was about to collapse,” Kimmich told the American broadcaster. “It wasn’t the kind of possession football we usually play, but we were really aggressive, had a lot of good chances and were very physically present. One of the most intense halves of my career turned out to be a particularly exceptional one from us.“

“Yes, I would say so,” Kimmich added a little later in the mixed zone when asked if the first half was the best he had ever experienced in a Bayern tricot. “At such a level, against such an opponent. The manner in which both sides played football. Off the top of my head, the only other comparison would be against Juventus in the Round-of-16 [during the 2015/16 competition].

“That was a very intense first half away from home, but it was still a different game,” Kimmich continued. “At such a level, against such an opponent, it doesn’t get any more intense.“

GGFN | Peter Weis