He was one of the match-winners in the Lazio game and his future at FC Bayern looks more promising than ever: Aleksander Pavlovic played alongside Leon Goretzka in midfield on Tuesday for the quarter-final. Joshua Kimmich has words of praise for the homegrown player.
„He’s just a boy who you can tell is enjoying it,“ said Joshua Kimmich on Sky’s microphone after the round of 16 match against Lazio Roma. He was referring to his team-mate Aleksander Pavlovic. The 19-year-old had just played arguably the most important game of his career and was likely to have won over his critics once again. A player „who enjoys being on the pitch. He plays fresh and relaxed and wants every ball,“ continued Kimmich.
Kimmich on Pavlovic’s performance: „No coincidence“
„That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that things are going so well for him. It’s also no coincidence that things are going like this,“ continued Kimmich, now a right-back. Kimmich is also playing in this position because of Pavlovic, especially as his regular right-backs Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui are currently out injured. „I don’t see him taking off or having a major slump. He can do what he shows on the pitch. That’s great and it’s fun to play football with him,“ continued Kimmich’s hymn of praise.
It was only Pavlovic’s second Champions League appearance of the season and the first to last 90 minutes. On 29 November last year, Thomas Tuchel helped the talented midfielder make his debut in the top flight against FC Copenhagen (0:0). The Germany youth international also played 90 minutes on the pitch in Freiburg. Due to his fifth yellow card there, he will not be a factor in the home game against Mainz on 9 March.
