Football: Bayern coach Kompany on the Kimmich discussion: “mini-debate”

In the discussion about Joshua Kimmich's status in the national team, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany sees a lot of ado about nothing. “I often try to stay out of mini-debates, because they are mini-debates,” said the coach of the German soccer record champions on RTL/Sky Sport.

The Belgian does not see any influence on FC Bayern. "I think it's the other way around, that the national team is influenced by what happens in a club," said Kompany.

Competition from your own club

Kimmich was not part of the squad for the games against Serbia (2-0) and in Greece (0-0). The 31-year-old was only part of new national coach Jürgen Klopp's squad in the first international matches against the Netherlands (1:1) and at home against the Greeks (0:1).

With a newly formed and very well-harmonized midfield with the Bayern duo Aleksandar Pavlovic and Tom Bischof as well as Florian Wirtz, the DFB selection celebrated its first victory in Munich with a 2-0 win against Serbia.

Kahn's feeling

Record national player Lothar Matthäus and Oliver Kahn saw Kimmich under pressure in the debate about his status. Kahn said he had the feeling that the Bayern professional no longer had a regular place “one hundred percent”.

In Matthäus' eyes, Kimmich, like others, has to prove himself again and again. «If Kimmich performs, then of course he is set. If Pavlovic plays stronger and Bishop or someone else, and Klopp sees him in Kimmich's position, then Kimmich will also have a hard time," said the 65-year-old. “But Joshua delivered for me in Amsterdam and was the best German field player for me. And that's why I don't see this discussion now."

For Michael Ballack, once captain of the DFB team, Klopp's decision “doesn't mean that it weakens him”. At the same time, with a view to the other midfield players, he said: "There are players who can quickly overtake him."