Mario Basler is critical of Joshua Kimmich’s interpretation of the right-back position – and warns the DFB team of a “blue miracle” at the World Cup.
At FC Bayern, Kimmich plays in central midfield, while in the German national team the captain plays on the right side of defense. Basler doesn’t like how the 31-year-old fills his role tactically.
“What many people don’t see is that Kimmich is actually a right defender, but against Curacao he was almost only found somewhere in the midfield,” complained the TV expert on “Sport1”. Kimmich “completely neglected” his right side, according to Basler’s accusation.
“We also got one or two counterattacks. He should do that when Mbappé plays there, he should do that against the Ivory Coast, then we will experience our blue miracle at the weekend,” warned the 57-year-old.
After beating Curacao 7-1, the DFB team will face Ivory Coast in the second group game on Saturday (10 p.m. CET). France and Mbappé could already wait in the round of 16 as the tournament progresses.
“… then we will have big problems”
“If we don’t hold our positions, or especially if Kimmich doesn’t hold this position, then we will have big problems on our right side,” Basler added.
Meanwhile, national coach Julian Nagelsmann relies on Kimmich’s Bayern colleagues Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund in central midfield. Other alternatives are available with Leon Goretzka, Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart) and Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion).
However, there is no trained right-back behind Kimmich in the German World Cup squad. Central defender Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund) came on as a substitute for Kimmich against Curacao.
Left-back Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt) can also play on the right.