“Real Madrid and Bayern are the two biggest clubs in the world”

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich has assured that it is “special” to play against Real Madrid, against whom he will seek his first victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabéu, and has stated that the two contenders this Tuesday are “the two biggest clubs in the world.”

“It’s something special to play against Real Madrid. Together with Bayern, they are the two biggest clubs in the world. The last games were not positive for us, but I think we had the circumstances against us; the second leg was played here three times. Tomorrow will be the first leg and I don’t think everything will be decided tomorrow,” he declared at a press conference.

In addition, he indicated that the team must show its “identity” to have a chance of winning. “We are preparing for an opponent who has a special way of playing, which can be dangerous in many versions. We have to show our potential and I am sure we will do so tomorrow,” he said. “When you want to beat Madrid, you have to be at a very good technical and mental level. We are in very good shape, looking forward to playing the game. You train every day for games like this,” he acknowledged.

On the other hand, Kimmich remembered the 2024 semifinals against the Madridistas. “We could have achieved more. We arrived with a 2-2 in the first leg and in the return we entered the second half better. I had the feeling that Real Madrid was far from our goal, but they were successful both times they arrived. We were not at our best, but this year the situation has changed. I have been here many times and we have always lacked players, not this time,” he warned.

He also stated that “the atmosphere” of the Santiago Bernabéu “is special.” “We have come many times with very good numbers and in the end we have come back empty-handed. This time we are going to play the first leg here and that changes the momentum of the game. Tomorrow is not the decisive game, so we will see what the atmosphere is,” he expressed.

“I have seen the results and the highlights of the tie against City. It is Real Madrid, and it seems that there are other laws that are imposed at the Bernabéu. City was expected to dominate, but if we look at it now, the result that Real Madrid achieved is impressive, their victory has been quite clear. Although many times they have also passed the round without deserving it,” he stressed.

In another vein, he stated that Kylian Mbappé is a player “capable of helping all teams and with great individual qualities.” “In this season when it seemed like everything was going very well in every game, Mbappé has been decisive. He is a great weapon for Real Madrid. I have faced him many times and we know what his qualities are,” he warned.

“We are not going to play one against one. That is the beauty of team sport. Real Madrid is a team with excellent players and we will have to act as a team. We have great respect for the Real Madrid players. But we must be convinced of our abilities and our game,” he added.

The German midfielder was also happy about the return of Harry Kane. “I think this season he has already scored 40 or 50 times. He is very important for us, also for our game. He not only executes, because he is not selfish, he is a leader, a team player who seeks collective success,” he said, and also spoke of the young midfielder Tom Bischof.

“His situation reminds me of me eleven years ago. At that time I joined Bayern and no one thought he was going to be important. He has the attitude to continue developing, and he is willing to play in all positions. It is very important to have this attitude. He has the best shot on the team along with Harry Kane. If we had lost in Freiburg, it would not have changed the strategy for tomorrow either,” he continued.

Finally, he stated that coach Vincent Kompany “does not differentiate between the importance of each match.” “We all have to have a good attitude on the field. We are in the quarterfinals against Real Madrid and it is something we are looking forward to. As a child I visited the stadium and I already had the feeling that it was impressive. It is something very special and one of the moments for which we train every day,” he concluded.