Kimmich strike maintains Bayern’s record run in Europe
MOSCOW: Match-winner Joshua Kimmich admitted holders Bayern Munich were made to work for their 2-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday which secured a record 13th straight Champions League victory for the German giants.
After Leon Goretzka gave Bayern an early lead in Russia, Lokomotiv deservedly equalised when midfielder Anton Miranchuk finished off a counterattack on 70 minutes.
However, Germany midfielder Kimmich made sure Bayern stayed top of their group when he turned just outside the area and fired a superb strike into the bottom corner on 79 minutes.
“We had to work hard for the victory,” Kimmich told broadcaster DAZN.
“They didn’t do badly, but we still should have decided the game earlier. They had some dangerous counters, but in the end we are happy to win despite not being at our best.”
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said the team’s belief got them through.
“We always believe in ourselves,” Neuer told DAZN.
“I think we’ve shown the spirit in our team over the last few weeks and months, but we can’t rely on that, we always have to start from scratch. You could see it wasn’t easy tonight.”
Lokomotiv squandered a golden chance early on when forward Fyodor Smolov headed straight at Bayern goalkeeper Neuer from point-blank range.
Goretzka put the Germans ahead early on in front of a limited crowd in the Russian capital, but Miranchuk tucked in an equaliser in the second half – Miranchuk’s twin brother Aleksei scored for Atalanta in the Champions League last week.
But Bayern were not to be denied a record 13th straight win in the competition as Kimmich controlled a Javi Martinez pass and volleyed home low from outside the box 11 minutes from time. — AFP