Joshua Kimmich
It was another stellar performance in the engine room from Joshua Kimmich as the 29-year-old dictated the proceedings in the middle of the park. Kimmich had a whopping 153 touches in the game and found a teammate with 93% of his 137 attempted passes. Bayern’s 83% ball possession was largely due to the efforts of Kimmich. From a defensive perspective, he was also outstanding by winning all four of his ground duels.
The overall importance of Kimmich in the heart of Bayern’s midfield cannot be over-emphasized. After enduring harsh criticism last season for poor performances, Kimmich has silenced his critics through his exploits on the field in Vincent Kompany’s system. With just over six months left on his existing contract, the Bavarian faithful can only hope that a contract extension for him becomes a reality. (Stats courtesy: Sofascore)