Lack of squad depth at Bayern? Kimmich warns of injury risks | OneFootball

Joshua Kimmich has long been one of the leading voices at FC Bayern – and not just on the pitch. Ahead of the start of the Champions League, the 30-year-old has now commented on the personnel situation at Munich, painting a nuanced picture.

In an interview with Sportschau and BR24, the midfield boss spoke openly about the current composition of the team: “The squad has become thinner in terms of numbers, we all know that. But in terms of quality, things look very good.”

Especially with regard to the Champions League, Kimmich urged caution. “We are dependent on the players staying fit. Last year we had a lot of injuries at the decisive stage, so I hope that this year in February, March, and April things will look better,” said the veteran.

The criticism of the record champion’s squad planning has not subsided in recent weeks. Fans and experts accused those responsible of neglecting squad depth. Kimmich’s words make it clear that the thin personnel situation is also a topic within the team – even though he does not question the quality in the squad.

Dreesen defends the course

Photo: IMAGO

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently countered the criticism with emphasis. At an appearance in the Bavarian State Chancellery, he explained: “Maybe the squad isn’t as deep as it used to be, but that gives young players a chance, and that’s exactly what we want, and I’m glad about that.”

With regard to the recent transfers, Dreesen was confident: “Our squad is definitely competitive. We have supplemented the squad with Nicolas Jackson, who has shown what he can do in the Premier League. He is fast, strong in duels, and will do our team a lot of good. We have a team with top quality.”

Successful dress rehearsal against HSV

How strong Bayern can perform despite possible shortages was demonstrated last weekend with a clear 5-0 victory over Hamburger SV. Kimmich praised the performance: “We had a great start to the game. I think we were 2-0 up after eight minutes. The first half was especially good. We played with a lot of power, worked very well off the ball, and went into halftime with a 4-0 lead. The second half was a bit quieter.”

The emphatic win against the newly promoted Bundesliga side was not only a statement in the league, but also an important sign ahead of the Champions League clash with FC Chelsea. One thing is clear: if the team is spared major injury worries, the record champions see themselves well equipped for the upcoming challenges.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.