Opinions are divided on Joshua Kimmich’s behavior after Bayern’s win against Freiburg. Image: AP / Martin Meissner
Bundesliga
The match day planners of the Bundesliga meant well with FC Bayern: After the cup defeat against Freiburg during the week, the Munich team had the option of direct revenge on Saturday. With a 1-0 win, Bayern took advantage of this opportunity and defended their lead in the table.
Despite the successful revenge, the sting at FCB is still deep after the cup elimination. This was particularly evident in the reaction of Bayern driver Joshua Kimmich after Munich’s Bundesliga victory. The defensive midfielder cheered provocatively towards the SC fans after the final whistle – and thus triggered outrage among opponents and experts.
Joshua Kimmich stretches his fists in the direction of the Freiburg fans. Image: IMAGO/Sportfoto Rudel
Hamann and Höfler criticize Kimmich for cheering
Freiburg’s Nicolas Höfler called Kimmich’s behavior unsportsmanlike. TV expert Didi Hamann spoke of karma and that the German international will soon receive the reward for his provocations.
Another expert has now joined the heated debate about the FCB star, but Kimmich jumps aside.
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We’re talking about Stefan Effenberg. The ex-national player and longtime Bayern star gave his clear opinion on the fuss surrounding Kimmich in a column for the news portal “Sport1”.
Effenberg takes a stand on Kimmich-Eklat
“Kimmich’s jubilant scene is pill-boxing. To present that as unsportsmanlike, I have a problem with that.”, writes Effenberg. The football expert thinks: “If he doesn’t have the emotions, then he has to stop playing football.”
Kimmich had already revealed how emotional and ambitious he was immediately after the cup defeat against Freiburg. “At the end of the day it pisses me off, the more titles we lose,” said the 28-year-old, and was harsh on himself and his team.
Stefan Effenberg can’t find anything bad about Kimmich’s explosive celebration.Image: dpa / Guido Kirchner
Effenberg looks ahead to Bayern duel against Manchester City
On Tuesday, Munich expects an opponent of a completely different caliber. In the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Manchester City’s star squad is waiting with ex-Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.
“You certainly won’t get the chances you did against Freiburg against Pep Guardiola,” predicted Effenberg. With a view to the second leg, he expects close games: “I think the stability in defense and the defense will decide the two games,” is Effenberg’s analysis.
With regard to the new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel, who has been in office for three games and took over from coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was fired during the recent international break, Effenberg urges patience. “Only after City can you really draw a conclusion as to whether everything was right,” explains the expert.
