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Sunday evening at 21:53 there was certainty!
Joshua Kimmich seriously injured his right knee in FC Bayern’s hard-fought 3-2 away win over Borussia Dortmund. On Sunday evening, Kimmich underwent surgery on his right lateral meniscus.
In a tackle against Erling Haaland near the center circle, the midfield handyman’s knee had strained so much that he had to leave the pitch with tears in his eyes shortly thereafter. Team doctor Dr. Jochen Hahne and head of physiotherapy Helmut Erhard supported the 25-year-old on the journey to the cabin. Corentin Tolisso came into play for Kimmich (36th). In the evening, the German international flew to Munich with his teammates, where further investigations followed.
Late Sunday evening, the club announced that Kimmich was due to undergo knee surgery. The Bavarian medical department expects to be able to intervene again in January.
Kimmich’s drama and its consequences
“We are happy that Joshua will be available again in a few weeks. We will give him the best possible support during his rehabilitation,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
On Sunday at noon, Kimmich left the Säbener Strasse underground car park at 11.53. He was in the passenger seat, his girlfriend Lina at the wheel. Kimmich greeted the reporters with a slight smile.
On the pitch, manager Hansi Flick has to do without his key player for the moment. It’s not an easy task, “but we also managed to cope with the injury against a strong Dortmund side,” said Flick. SPORT1-Request. “Joshua is a very important player for us in this position. Besides his mentality, he also has enormous qualities.”
Bitter for Bavaria and Löw
The 2020 football year is definitely over for the 50-time national team player. Kimmich will miss his next three international matches against the Czech Republic (11 November), Ukraine (14 November) and Spain (17 November), as well as the remaining Champions League group stage matches and best Bundesliga matches against RB Leipzig (5 December) and Bayer Leverkusen (December 19/20).
National team colleague Robin Gosens accepted SPORT1: “I wish Joshua a speedy recovery. He is a good boy and an exceptional footballer.”
While still on the pitch, Kimmich underwent a functional check on Saturday night with his face contorted with pain. The internal ligament and cruciate ligament were examined for possible damage.
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After being able to pull himself up, he saw the referee Manuel Gräfe yellow card for his foul. Up to now he had been strong in duels as usual and had helped Bayern’s game with important ball wins.
Who has to replace Kimmich now?
And who should make up for Kimmich’s absence in the coming weeks? Especially Leon Goretzka, who recently had to pass twice due to calf problems, but is otherwise seeded at Flick.
Corentin Tolisso, who has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks and has also given a good boost against BVB after being substituted, should come on for the moment.
Another option in the central midfield is the reliable Javi Martínez and newcomer Marc Roca, who, apart from the cup against Düren and a one-minute match in Cologne, have not yet played.
Alaba’s move would trigger a chain reaction
Is David Alaba now also in midfield? After SPORT1-Information, the request for a position in the defensive midfield was one of the wishes of his management during the now interrupted contractual negotiations with the Monaco team. However, Flick recently made it clear that he is planning the central defense with Alaba. However, he said this before Kimmich’s injury.
However: A move by Alaba to center would mean southpaw Lucas Hernández would have to move inward, although he has made a stronger impression as a left-back so far. Additionally, Alphonso Davies continues to fail with a torn ligament in his right ankle. E: Flick is not a fan of too many changes in his team structure.
As an additional option, new signing Tanguy Nianzou, whose return is imminent and that of the triple manager, could soon be considered SPORT1-Information can play a decisive role in the defensive midfield.
In early September, Nianzou suffered a complicated anterior thigh muscle injury when shooting on goal during training for the French U20 national team. After the serious injury, Nianzou is expected to start full team training around mid-November (SPORT1 reported).
Kimmich’s mentality can hardly be replaced
But it is also clear that Kimmich can hardly be replaced due to his quality and leadership. This season he has scored three goals in eleven official appearances and has already provided seven assists. Already in the preseason he had scored seven goals and 17 assists. After the triple, he was named best defender of the 2019/20 Champions League season by UEFA.
Since moving from Stuttgart in 2015, Kimmich has only lost two games due to illness and one due to a bruise. Logically, Thomas Müller called him a “mindset monster” on Instagram and made him wishes for healing. Captain Manuel Neuer said: “He is a leader in this axis”.
But Flick is confident that his team can make up for Kimmich’s failure, at least in the short term. Because, as the Bayern manager pointed out, “the mentality of the team is exceptional”.
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