Kimmich listed the only three defeats in the 52 competitive games so far this season: in the league phase at FC Arsenal (1:3), in the first leg in Paris in the Champions League and the only Bundesliga defeat against FC Augsburg (1:2).
This shows that the team was consistently performing at a good level. “I don’t think this will knock us down in any way or take us off track,” said Kimmich. “At least I’m sitting there in the dressing room and have the feeling that we can still win the Champions League with this team.” Since this is no longer possible this season, “the disappointment is great.”
Kimmich also sees this as a missed opportunity. “We had a lot of very good games and seasons like that don’t happen that often. So in my eleven years in Bavaria, I think that was the strongest season we’ve played so far,” he said. The midfield strategist deliberately placed the current season above the 2020 triple season. Back then, the team “actually didn’t play football well for six months” and then only improved in the second half of the year.
“I have rarely experienced this consistency, this way and with such a team in the dressing room,” said Kimmich, “and that is why it is all the more bitter that we were kicked out today.”
To win a big title like the Champions League, “it’s a bit of a journey,” said Eberl and announced: “We learned something last year, we have to learn something from it this year and then we’ll attack again next year.”
PSG showed them in two thrilling semi-final duels what Bayern are still missing from the big time. Head coach Vincent Kompany also named Paris as the current benchmark in European football. “I have a lot of respect for this PSG team. Look what they have done all over Europe for two years,” Kompany said on DAZN: “I would like to play against PSG again. But unfortunately that is no longer possible this season.” That’s why the Belgian announced: “We will prepare and see that we are even stronger. We have already made progress this season. We have to do it again now.”