Bayern Munich’s first competitive matches of the new season included, among other things, a positional experiment. Despite some useful signs, there is no longer any need for it for the time being.
The fresh start in the Germany team with Jürgen Klopp could also be a great opportunity for a late developer to take the next step in his consistently built career.
Captain Joshua Kimmich remains a key pillar of the Germany national football team under new head coach Jürgen Klopp, even after their third World Cup disaster in a row.
Joshua Kimmich accepted full responsibility after Germany's World Cup campaign ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the last 32. The defender admitted his side never reached their best level during the tournament and insisted the players alone were to blame for another disappointing exit.
Germany were sensationally dumped out of the 2026 World Cup on Monday evening after losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough. Julian Nagelsmann's side had 75 percent possession and three times as many shots as their South American opponents (21-7), while they also thought they'd won a bad-tampered round-of-32 tie when Jonathan Tah headed home Nathaniel Brown's corner in extra-time.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has launched a scathing critique of Julian Nagelsmann's tactical setup following the national team's bitter World Cup setback against Ecuador. The iconic former captain vehemently argued that current skipper Joshua Kimmich is being severely restricted by his controversial deployment in the right-back role.
Joshua Kimmich has opened up about just how close he came to ending his long-standing association with Bayern Munich during a period of extreme uncertainty at the Allianz Arena. The German international revealed that he was almost tempted by a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain after being told by club hierarchy that he was available for transfer.
At FC Bayern, Lennart Karl counts no fewer than three teammates as role models—most notably the player whose face the youngster has even etched onto his shin pad.
Despite the convincing 4-0 win over Finland, Germany still lacks tactical discipline at times. Julian Nagelsmann is right to trust his young players, and his instincts are sound. Here are three takeaways from the penultimate friendly before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
