Joshua Kimmich has delivered a frank assessment of Bayern Munich‘s display after they lifted the DFL-Supercup with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, insisting the team “have a lot of work” ahead of them. The Germany captain refused to celebrate the scoreline alone, instead highlighting fundamental flaws that persisted throughout the contest.
Speaking to Kicker following the final whistle, Kimmich acknowledged that while his side entered the break with a comfortable two-goal advantage, he found little encouragement in their first-half efforts. “Of course, we were leading 2-0,” he said, but admitted he did not feel “the first half was that good.” He added that the squad were merely “happy that we won today” rather than pleased with the overall performance.
Defensive Frailties and Lack of Control
The midfielder pinpointed specific technical shortcomings that undermined Bayern’s authority during large portions of the match. He noted that the team was “not active enough when we had the ball” and struggled to provide adequate support to teammates, which allowed Dortmund opportunities to threaten from wide positions.
“We didn’t always manage to support each other, and we allowed a little too much – especially from crosses,” Kimmich explained. He demanded that the side must “improve significantly in that area.”
His concerns extended beyond the interval. Kimmich expressed frustration that Bayern could not “control the game” after the restart, missing clear chances to exploit Dortmund’s errors in possession. “Dortmund gave the ball away easily at times,” he noted, suggesting that “we could have made better use of those situations and punished them.”
Early Season Reality Check
The 28-year-old admitted that the current performance levels fall well short of the standards required for the campaign ahead. He conceded that Bayern are “still a long way” from reaching the necessary level, underscoring the disconnect between the favourable result and the actual quality of football displayed.
The victory marks Bayern’s first competitive silverware of the new season, yet Kimmich’s comments suggest significant tactical work lies ahead to align the squad with the required standards. With the Bundesliga campaign imminent, the midfielder’s public warning serves as a reminder that winning margins can obscure underlying issues that may prove costly in tighter league fixtures.
Bayern’s ability to secure the trophy despite these acknowledged deficiencies demonstrates their capacity to grind out results, but Kimmich’s assessment makes clear that such performances will not suffice against stronger opposition unless improvements are made.