Joshua Kimmich praised Bayern Munich’s response to their first league defeat of the season but admitted their spirits were “dampened” by an injury to opposition player Benjamin Henrichs during their 5-1 win over RB Leipzig on Friday .
Having lost 2-1 to seventh-placed Mainz six days earlier, Bayern thrashed fourth-placed Leipzig 5-1 at home in the Bundesliga on Friday thanks to Kimmich’s stunning long-range strike to put them 3-0 up at half time. time.
Leipzig’s misery was compounded when right-back Henrichs – one of Kimmich’s team-mates in Germany – was stretchered off late in the match with an apparent leg injury.
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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) December 20, 2024
Henrichs injury: Players ‘don’t know what’s wrong’
“The players felt that the game in Mainz was our worst performance of the season in every way,” Kimmich told DAZN after his side fell seven points behind second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
“We hardly had any chances to score, which was very different from today. It was very, very important for us to show such a reaction and we can go home happy, although the mood is a bit cloudy (because) we don’t know what is wrong with Benny. We hope it’s not as bad as it looks.”
Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane joined Jamal Musiala’s first-minute opener with a pass to Michael Olisse, who set up the Germany international for his fourth goal in four games from close range.
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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) December 20, 2024
Leipzig had gone behind for less than 60 seconds when Lois Openda raced into space and crossed for Benjamin Cesko.
The tie marked the first time in the history of the German top flight that two teams scored in the first two minutes of a match.
Former Leipzig midfielder Konrad Leimer completed a one-two with Olisse before volleying Bayern back in front after 25 minutes and, after Kimmich struck memorably, Leroy Sane and Alphonso Davies extended Bayern’s lead. home team late.
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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) December 20, 2024
Bayern – Leipzig: Goal Kimmich
Captain Kimmich ended his wait of more than a year for a league goal. “We started really well and conceded an equalizer straight away, but you could tell from the start that we really wanted to win the game and we did it in a dominant way,” he said.
“Jamal set me free, in general. Leipzig always defended in a 5-3-2 formation, so I had some space. I always say I’m single and he can find me if he likes.
“I always get teased about my shooting because in training it’s pretty decent, but in a game it’s never been like that. Fortunately, he came in today.”
