“unbearable”, “bad”
Joshua Kimmich suffers in the Ukraine war
03/25/2022, 16:37
Before the international match against Israel, Russia’s war in Ukraine is also an important topic for the national team. Midfield chief Kimmich “can’t find words” about the suffering of the civilians. Meanwhile, national coach Flick has to think about who will replace the Bayern professional on the pitch.
The images of war from Ukraine also affect national soccer player Joshua Kimmich emotionally. “I’m stunned, I can’t find the words. The fact that there could be war in Europe was beyond my imagination,” said the Bayern Munich professional in the stadium booklet before the international match on Saturday (8.45 p.m./ZDF in the live ticker on ntv.de) in Sinsheim against Israel.
“Every day I hope for news that gives hope. The suffering of so many civilians, especially so many children, is unbearable,” Kimmich added: “You realize how unimportant everything is, how small your own worries are. It is bad.”
For socio-political reasons, his anticipation of the desert World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18) has also been dampened. “One cannot ignore the fact that the human rights situation in Qatar is problematic,” said the 27-year-old. He still considers a boycott “to be the wrong way to go”. Rather, the DFB team and the entire football world before and during the tournament “have a duty to repeatedly point out the grievances”.
Meanwhile, national coach Hansi Flick will probably have to do without Kimmich at the start of the World Cup year. The midfielder has yet to travel to the national team due to the impending birth of his third child. “I am in contact with Jo – unfortunately there is nothing new. Also for him, he would like to be here,” said Flick in the DFB quarter near Frankfurt / Main. The national coach is definitely counting on İlkay Gündoğan in central midfield, with Jamal Musiala likely to start next to him.
Gündoğan did not have to report after his “I have to play” statement. “I didn’t get any,” said the national player with a smile after a long conversation during training with Hansi Flick. He only exchanged “certain tactical things” with the national coach.
In any case, the Manchester City professional made it clear in an interview on Thursday that he would no longer be satisfied with a reserve role in the World Cup year. “If I’m fit and in shape,” the 31-year-old told Kicker, “then I have enough self-confidence to say: I have to play.” But the other candidates for central midfield in the national team think the same about themselves – and there are some.
Who gets the place next to the seeded Joshua Kimmich? Flick will definitely rely on Gündoğan against Israel. Leon Goretzka has the best chance of running alongside Kimmich at the Winter World Championships in Qatar. The dynamic and robust eight fights back after patellar tendon problems at the Munich training ground. He has the advantage that he is the chosen Kimmich partner at Bayern. In his absence, Jamal Musiala took over this part – and the exceptional talent convinced in the more defensive position.
“We’ve also thought about letting him play on the six,” revealed Flick: “Jamal is clever in a duel, somehow he always gets a foot in between to steal the ball.” And when it comes to possession, the 19-year-old has outstanding qualities anyway. But that also applies to Gündoğan.
Nico Schlotterbeck from Freiburg, who was strong last time, will make his debut against Israel, and Flick gave him a guarantee in central defense. The 22-year-old has “developed extremely well” but is “sometimes too comfortable,” said the national coach. Flick also revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who recently returned from a knee injury, is being given a break. His representatives Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp would “each play a half,” announced the 57-year-old.