Joshua Kimmich is taking new paths at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The 31-year-old Bayern professional is captain of the German national team for the first time and experienced a successful tournament opener after the 7-1 win over Curaçao. At the previous World Cups in 2018 in Russia (0-1 against Mexico) and 2022 in Qatar (1-2 against Japan), Germany had lost the first game each time.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann is already working intensively on the match plan for the next opponent, Ivory Coast. Their 1-0 win over Ecuador was immediately analyzed. “The two opponents coming up now are really, really good. They have incredible physicality, a lot of speed and many top players,” said Nagelsmann. Sporting director Rudi Völler described Kimmich’s role pathetically as “flag bearer for all of us.”
Kimmich himself does not want to see his personal World Cup record as a blemish. “It’s not about erasing anything at all. We know how the last tournaments were. I know it. It’s a new chance,” said the 111-time national player. Against Curaçao, after a shaky first half, he set up goals by Jamal Musiala and Deniz Undav.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
