Joshua Kimmich worked like a “berserker” to return to Bayern Munich

In an interview on Sport1’s Doppelpass program over the weekend, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge touched on the sudden return of Joshua Kimmich to the lineup after a scary meniscus injury back in early November.

Kimmich’s determination and grit paved the way for an early return to the squad over the weekend. After entering as a substitute in the second half, Kimmich settled the midfield, stabilized the entire squad, and ended up getting the assist on Robert Lewandowski’s game-winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen.

For Rummenigge, Kimmich’s return could not have come soon enough.

“He had worked like a berserker in training,” said Rummenigge, as captured by Abendzeitung. “We have missed him a lot in the last few weeks. We overplayed the midfield too much. That will be better with him again, because he demands the ball.”

There is no doubt that Kimmich immediately made an impact, but the second I heard Rummenigge use “berserker”, I instantly thought of Olaf from “Clerks”:

Anyway, Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick had not planned on using Kimmich, but who exactly was going to tell Kimmich that he would have to sit the Leverkusen game out?

Apparently, no one.

“It wasn’t planned that he would play,” Flick said.

Kimmich, though, “made it very clear” at halftime that “he felt ready.”

“Josh brought calm into the game and organized it,” said Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

In the end, Kimmich delivered for his teammates, his manager, and his club.

“I’m glad Joshua went with us. Just being there helps the team a lot,” said Flick. “He’s very important for the team.”