Joshua Kimmich and the criticism
“Harakiri”? His answer makes you sit up and take notice
Updated March 1, 2026 – 12:08 p.mReading time: 4 minutes
The DFB captain decides the hotly contested top game at BVB. He had previously faced criticism – because of a devastating mistake
Kim Steinke reports from Dortmund
Joshua Kimmich was just entering the underground car park of Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park when he fell into the arms of BVB star Karim Adeyemi. They both laughed, refused, and then the two national players parted ways. While Adeyemi’s laughter quickly disappeared, the FC Bayern Munich top performer continued to shine – and for good reason.
FC Bayern won the top game at Borussia Dortmund 3-2 on Saturday evening – and probably the Bundesliga with them. It is now eleven points ahead of the black and yellow pursuer, a statement in the final phase, an effective goal, perhaps even the effective goal in the title race. And Kimmich right in the middle. He initiated the interim equalizer through Harry Kane (54th minute) and then decided the game in a thrilling final phase with a powerful shot himself (87th).
“We knew that the longer the game lasted, the greater our advantage would be,” explained Kimmich after the game. “Luckily we played it out very late.” It was surprising that the captain, who wore the armband in the absence of the injured Manuel Neuer, would be the game-decider. Just a week ago, Kimmich was also in the spotlight because of a sensational scene – but at that time in front of his own goal.
In Bayern’s 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, the final phase turned into a real thriller, much to the Munich team’s chagrin. And Bayern almost gave up the game after a comfortable 3-0 lead. Jointly responsible: Kimmich. In the 86th minute he played a cross pass that was too risky in front of his own penalty area. Teammate Min-jae Kim did not approach the ball decisively enough – and therefore allowed Frankfurt’s Arnaud Kalimuendo to intervene and score the goal.
Bayern sports director Max Eberl then absolved Kim of any guilt – and indirectly blamed it on Kimmich. “Of course it’s hara-kiri what we played there,” he said, but without directly mentioning Kimmich by name. “We could have saved ourselves that. I know you want to solve a lot of things in a playful way, but that’s a bit too much. Then at some point, when the danger becomes too great, you have to delete it.” For someone who normally conducts the game, it seemed like a loss of rhythm. As a result, voices became loud that Kimmich was in a bit of a form crisis. He has been playing below his abilities since the turn of the year.
