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As the dust settled on a thoroughly entertaining 0-0 draw between Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, it was evident that the two most memorable moments of the match involved Munich’s young starlet Joshua Kimmich. A 21-year-old who was serving as a makeshift defender in the most important league match of the season, Kimmich hardly put a foot wrong.
Making only his ninth Bundesliga start of the season, the versatile German player was instrumental in nullifying Dortmund attackers Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Standing at just over 5 feet 9 inches and weighing just over 150 pounds, Kimmich bears more of a resemblance with the child mascots that walk out holding the hands of senior players than with the who's who of international superstars surrounding him.
His oversized kit, apparent inability to grow facial hair and baby-faced impression belied the fact that he’d been charged with organizing the Bavarian defense against their fiercest German rivals. His first half was near perfection, totaling a 96% percent pass accuracy with 51 completed passes, one tackle won and one interception.
However, he saved his most timely intervention for when it mattered most. With the scores level at 0-0 and the attacking initiative lying with Dortmund, this goal saving tackle on Dortmund's Reus shows why Kimmich is currently in the frame for a call-up to the German national team:
Reminder: Joshua Kimmich is amazing. #BVBFCB pic.twitter.com/WJOreQRohB
— Bavarian FB Works (@BavarianFBWorks) March 5, 2016
His reading of the game was immaculate, his ability to avoid the need to tackle while deftly denying passing windows and continually taking up the right positions drawing comparisons with the equally unflustered play of Fabio Cannavaro. This all for a player who prefers to play in central midfield, modeled his game on Bastian Schweinsteiger and appears to be the heir to Xabi Alonso in the Munich center.
Equally adept in the center of defense or midfield, Kimmich is also able to play right back. Calm, composed and a fantastic passer of the ball, you can see why he’s become a quick favorite of manager Pep Guardiola. However, being a favorite of Guardiola is not without its drawbacks. Guardiola is a perfectionist and he demands as much from his players, regardless of their age.
The second most memorable event of the match came after the full-time whistle, Guardiola striding out to meet Kimmich near the center circle, irate as all hell over Kimmich’s forays forward near the end of the match. Guardiola viewed this as unforgivable tactical naivety, regardless of the fact that Kimmich had been Bayern's best player on the day.
An emotional Pep Guardiola and 21-year-old Joshua Kimmich have a post-match chat after the full-time whistle. https://t.co/XrYmePu69s
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 5, 2016
Guardiola was quick to protect his burgeoning starlet after putting him on blast in front of 81,000 spectators at the Westfalenstadion and the millions watching at home. “I told him that he’s perhaps one of the best center backs in the world,” said Guardiola. “He’s got the desire, the will, the passion. He’s got absolutely everything.”
For his part, Kimmich was quick to brush off any claims that his performance was under appreciated or that he'd been publicly shamed. “It’s the trademark of a good coach that he’s never satisfied, and that he always tries to improve you,” said Kimmich. “He always wants to get the maximum out of you. After the match, he told me a few things I should have done better.”
Young, versatile and with limitless potential, Kimmich appears to be the future for both Bayern Munich and Germany. It's difficult to envision Guardiola not trying to increase his influence over the youngster with his move to Manchester City on the immediate horizon.
