When you're a young cat, coming into the biggest game of the league season, those butterflies and nerves can get the better of you. Many times these eyes have seen young shoulders shrink under the pressure of a big game against a dangerous attacking team. But Kimmich is no ordinary youngster. Against the best attacking team in Germany, he was able to stand up to the threat and put up a first-class defensive display.
The first forty-five minutes was where we saw both teams at their best, unrelenting in the way that they attacked and moved the ball. As good as Bayern were who decided that playing a faster game ain't all that bad, we saw just how dangerous Dortmund can be. But Kimmich was able to use his wits and reading of the game to deny the threats of Reus and Aubamayeng, who have had their slices of German pie against other victims in the Bundesliga.
A big thing coming into this game was the loss of Boateng, who has been one of Bayern's best and most consistent players and a man who I consider to be perhaps the best central defender out there. So it was all eyes on Dortmund to exploit that and really test the young whipper-snapper and expose him. Kimmich had none of it, playing a composed game in a very hectic and frenetic first half which included one great last-ditch tackle.
Moving forward, with or without Boateng, Pep knows he's got some real good cover from Bayern. Benatia's long lay off still makes him appear shaky, and Alaba is always reliable in several positions but Kimmich has shown that he can put in a good performance in a high-pressured game away from home against an excellent attacking team. Not many young central defenders would be able to come throught that test unscathed.
Kimmich did and he's all the better for it.HH
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