Already on Wednesday it became clear that Hansi Flick was planning to return to the right-back position with Joshua Kimmich in the future. Details about the national coach’s mental games with the FC Bayern professional are now coming to light.
According to “Bild”, Kimmich should not play the role of a classic right-back, but rather move into the center when in possession of the ball and act as a kind of liaison player between offense and defense.
In order to prevent the DFB team’s game from becoming too vulnerable to counterattacks, Flick wants to deploy Borussia Dortmund central defender Nico Schlotterbeck on the left side asymmetrically, i.e. in an extremely defensive manner. Against the ball, Kimmich should complete the classic four-man chain.
Although Kimmich personally feels most comfortable in the six-man position, he is said to be positive about Flick’s innovation – probably also due to the important role in the build-up of the game that he should take on.
Flick’s tactical trick with the FC Bayern star is said to have been planned long in advance. It was no coincidence that Kimmich practiced the new role in a secret test on Wednesday in Wolfsburg over three 12-minute periods against the German U20 team, which the senior national team won 4-0.
Role change for Joshua Kimmich at FC Bayern too?
Kimmich started his professional career at right-back, but later moved to the center.
“Bild” speculates that coach Thomas Tuchel at FC Bayern could also field the 28-year-old in a similar role to Flick in the DFB team in the future. The German record champions are only thinly staffed in the defensive area.
After Benjamin Pavard’s departure to Inter Milan, Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui is currently on the right. Regular midfielder Konrad Laimer acts as a backup.