Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich has refuted claims that he and his team-mate Michael Olise deliberately got themselves booked during the side’s 6-1 win against Atalanta in the Champions League.
On Tuesday (10 March), Vincent Kompany’s Bayern all but ensured their progression to the last eight with a 6-1 victory in the first leg of their last-16 tie against Serie A side Atalanta in Bergamo, Italy.
Bayern, who were without Harry Kane — an unused substitute — opened the scoring through Josip Stanišić after 12 minutes before Olise made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.
Strikes from Nicolas Jackson, Serge Gnabry, another from Olise and Jamal Musiala followed before Mario Pašalić netted a consolation in second-half stoppage time, meaning the Italians must overturn a five-goal deficit in next Wednesday’s second leg in Bavaria.
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Despite the emphatic performance from the German side, two negatives were that both Kimmich and Olise received yellow cards, meaning they will now miss the return fixture.
However, some have suggested the players intentionally got booked to avoid the second leg rather than risk missing a potentially more important quarter-final against the winners of Manchester City v Real Madrid.
This was put to Kimmich by reporters following the match, but the Germany international explained that he is “someone who wants to play all games” before insisting he did not deliberately pick up the caution.
Olise was booked in the 77th minute, while Kimmich received a yellow card for time-wasting on 83 minutes.
“I think if he doesn’t go crazy, then there won’t be a yellow card,” Kimmich said.
“It took me a long time; I didn’t want to play into the pressing. I took too long, in any case. I still think that if he doesn’t run at me, the referee might let it go.”
He added: “Generally, I’m someone who wants to play all games. But due to the result in the first leg, I think that’s manageable.”
Sergio Ramos previously received a two-match ban for deliberately receiving a yellow card during Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Ajax in February 2019.
It is unclear whether Olise or Kimmich will face UEFA sanctions.
Topics: Bayern Munich, Joshua Kimmich, Michael Olise, Champions League, Football
Luke Davies