Why's Kimmich MIA from Nagelsmann's midfield, bud?
Germany's taking on Austria in Vienna, and lo and behold, Joshua Kimmich's missing from the action. The national coach, Julian Nagelsmann, chose an alternate duo for the midfield. He dropped the Bayern star with a reason as flimsy as a paper bag - "variability." That's right, folks, our boy Nagelsmann decided to test some fresh brew for the Euro Championship, leaving out the team's keystone.
Nagelsmann has defended his decision to bench Kimmich for the international match against Austria, citing his long-term vision for the European Championship. "We want to be versatile," he told ZDF before the game at the Ernst Happel Stadium. "We can't always play the same pairs," Nagelsmann added, hinting at the importance of having a deep bench for a tournament that lasts from June 14 to July 14. "It's not about playing with ten or eighteen; it's about 14, 15 players," said the coach, emphasizing the necessity of having mutual trust among the team members.
Instead of Kimmich, his clubmate Leon Goretzka filled in, partnering with captain Ilkay Gündogan in defensive midfield. This wasn't a new combo, as their last joint appearance came in the 2022 World Cup's group stage against Costa Rica (4-2). Nagelsmann's unconventional decision is a first in his history with Kimmich, who has never been benched when available. In the 73 competitive matches, Kimmich started 73 times and was subbed out nine, including his last start against Turkey (2-3).
On Saturday in Berlin, Kimmich was replaced by Goretzka in the 71st minute. Lothar Matthäus, a footballing legend, simultaneously questioned the pairing of Gündogan and Kimmich, stating on RTL that they simply don't mesh well. Kimmich was absent from Nagelsmann's international debut as the national coach due to illness while Gündogan harmonized well with Pascal Groß, with whom he started twice.
So, what gives, Nagelsmann? Despite Kimmich's absence from the midfield, the German coach emphasized the importance of testing variability for the Euro Championship. In light of Nagelsmann's decision to opt for a different midfield pairing, with Goretzka joining captain Gündogan, it's clear that he is taking a calculated risk to secure the best possible performance for the upcoming tournament.
Enrichment Data:
- Captaincy: After Manuel Neuer's retirement, Joshua Kimmich was entrusted with the leadership role and the armband by coast coach, Julian Nagelsmann.
- Versatility: Kimmich has showcased his adaptability by playing various positions such as right-back, left-back, center-back, and central midfielder with unmatched efficiency.
- Performance: Kimmich's exceptional performances have earned him a world-class reputation in numerous positions, making him an essential asset for the team.
