Joshua Kimmich denies deliberate booking in Bayern's 6-1 at Atalanta | OneFootball

Joshua Kimmich has denied deliberately taking the yellow card that leaves him suspended for Bayern Munich's Champions League return leg in Munich on 18 March, after a 6-1 first leg win against Atalanta in Bergamo on Tuesday.

Both Kimmich and Michael Olise began the tie one caution from a ban. Olise, named man of the match after scoring twice and supplying Serge Gnabry, was booked for time-wasting before a corner in the 77th minute with the score at 6-0.

Seven minutes later, captain Joshua Kimmich received the same caution for delaying a corner in the 84th minute. "I was looking for a passing option. You should not play into the opponent's press. They left Tom a little free. It felt like they were leaving him free only to press," he told Prime.

"I think if the opponent had not rushed at me, I might not have been booked. I wanted to clear it but it was too late, it is frustrating."

The question of intent has precedent in the competition. In 2018-19, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos admitted after a 2-1 first leg win at Ajax that he had sought a late booking following a 90th-minute foul on Kasper Dolberg while one caution from a ban.

In 2026, if the Olise and Kimmich bookings were judged deliberate, they could face more than a simple suspension for the second leg. It remains to be seen whether UEFA will review the cautions.

Source: L'Équipe