by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Fueled by pride, Joshua Kimmich proudly held aloft the trophy for Player of the Match, having scored the winning goal against the Gunners, Arsenal.

It marked his first Champions League goal of the season, ending a ten-game drought. This successful header not only propelled the wavering Bavarians into the UEFA Champions League semis, where they would face Real Madrid, but also signaled a turning point in his career.

The 29-year-old appears to have come to terms with his role at right-back, despite his preference for a midfield position. After enduring months of criticism and little support, Kimmich reflected on his recent struggles, stating, "I have faced a fair amount of criticism and received little support. Therefore, it feels good to have somehow changed the situation."

His achievement also made his coach, Thomas Tuchel, the first German coach to reach the Champions League semifinals with three different clubs, a feat previously accomplished only by coaching veteran Jose Mourinho.

For Kimmich, his resurgence seems to evoke "a good feeling" after enduring widespread criticism. Despite initially struggling with his shift from midfield to right-back, his performance against Arsenal demonstrated his prowess, with 90 ball contacts, several assists, and a passing rate of 93 percent telling the story. It appears that the eight-time German champion is evolving into a driving force for his team, albeit in a different position than desired.

Having navigated a season of ups and downs, Kimmich not only excelled in his club team but also in the national squad. The 2020 Champions League winner delivered convincing free-kicks and corners for Bayern, simultaneously addressing the German national coach Julian Nagelsmann's concerns about the right-back position ahead of the 2024 UEFA Euro tournament.

Reflecting on Kimmich's performance, Tuchel praised his exceptional heading technique, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer set a new Champions League record with 58 games without conceding a goal, surpassing Real legend Iker Casillas. Former Real and Juventus star turned TV pundit Sami Khedira commended Kimmich for his relentless energy, highlighting his high-class performance that consistently benefits his team.

Looking ahead to the upcoming challenges against Spanish giant Real Madrid, Kimmich remarked, "It's in two weeks, isn't it? So we know what's up next and what we have to do to be prepared." Enditem

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