Joshua Kimmich hails Bayern-Real clash as battle of world's biggest clubs
Joshua Kimmich has described Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid as a clash between the two biggest clubs in world football. The German international made the comments on the eve of the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, setting the stage for a highly anticipated European tie.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Kimmich expressed his personal excitement for the occasion. "It's something special to play against Real. Bayern and Real are the biggest clubs in the world," he said. The 29-year-old recalled visiting the iconic stadium as a child, noting the sense of scale even without a match taking place. "I could see how massive it is. That's not something you experience every day," Kimmich added.
The midfielder acknowledged the recent historical difficulty for Bayern in this fixture. The Bundesliga giants are winless in their last eight Champions League matches against Real Madrid, a run that includes several painful eliminations. Kimmich, however, emphasized that past results would have little bearing on the upcoming two-legged affair. "We've been knocked out here every time in recent years, but the circumstances were always different," he stated. "Tomorrow probably won't decide everything yet."
When asked about Bayern's tactical approach, Kimmich highlighted the unique threat posed by Carlo Ancelotti's side while insisting his team would focus on their own strengths. "Real are unique in how they play – they can create danger from any situation," Kimmich explained. "It will be crucial to bring our strengths onto the pitch. Of course, we'll adapt slightly to Real, but we want to play our own game."
Kimmich's comments arrive at a pivotal moment in his own career, with his long-term future at Bayern Munich increasingly uncertain. His current contract expires in June 2025, and he has not yet agreed to an extension with the Bavarian club. According to widespread reports from Sky Germany and Sport Bild, Bayern's new sporting director Max Eberl is prepared to sell the versatile player this summer if a new deal cannot be reached, rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next year.
This context adds a significant subplot to the high-stakes European encounter. Several top clubs, including Manchester City, Barcelona, and Liverpool, have been linked with a move for Kimmich should he become available. His performance across these high-profile matches against Real Madrid will be scrutinized not just for its impact on Bayern's European campaign, but also for its potential influence on the summer transfer market. For now, Kimmich's focus remains squarely on ending Bayern's poor run against the Spanish champions and progressing in the competition.
