Joshua Kimmich reflects on ‘the most intense first half of my career’ against PSG

Bayern Munich’s resounding statement in last night’s Champions League victory wasn’t an easily made one. Speaking to Amazon Prime after the match, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich noted that – even before the German giants were forced to defend shorthanded for the entire second half – the opening 45 minutes against the defending UCL champions was one of the most intense halves of football he had ever experienced.

“After 25 minutes, I looked up [at the stadium clock] and thought I was about to collapse,” Kimmich told the American broadcaster. “It wasn’t the kind of possession football we usually play, but we were really aggressive, had a lot of good chances and were very physically present. One of the most intense halves of my career turned out to be a particularly exceptional one from us.“

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“Yes, I would say so,” Kimmich added a little later in the mixed zone when asked if the first half was the best he had ever experienced in a Bayern tricot. “At such a level, against such an opponent. The manner in which both sides played football. Off the top of my head, the only other comparison would be against Juventus in the Round-of-16 [during the 2015/16 competition].

“That was a very intense first half away from home, but it was still a different game,” Kimmich continued. “At such a level, against such an opponent, it doesn’t get any more intense.“

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