FC Bayern remains undefeated even after the ninth matchday of the Bundesliga. With a 2-1 away win against Mainz 05, the Munich team heads into the final international break of the year as the league leader. Despite numerous injuries and the ongoing absence of head coach Vincent Kompany, the record champions continue to show remarkable stability. Joshua Kimmich sees a very specific reason for this.
The 31-year-old was once again one of the key players in the victory in Mainz. With a spectacular goal, he gave Bayern an early lead and set the stage for another away win. After the final whistle, however, the midfielder spoke not only about his emotional goal celebration but also about a fundamental change within the club.
For Kimmich, the team’s current success is by no means a given. After all, the Munich side has had to cope with numerous setbacks in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the team didn’t let that throw them off their game. The DFB captain is convinced that something crucial has developed at FC Bayern in recent years.
“I’ve seen the locker room in a different light before.”
After the 2-1 win in Mainz, Kimmich raved about the extraordinary team spirit within the squad. “I’ve seen the locker room differently in the past few years that I’ve been here. It’s special what’s come together here over the last 2–3 years—with the coach, with the team, and with everything else around it,” explained the Bayern star.
The midfielder is particularly impressed by the calm that now prevails at Säbener Straße. “It’s very calm here—it used to be different. Even when we played good soccer, it was restless here. We’ve noticed in recent weeks that even when we have a lot of players out and now the coach is missing too, we always stick together.”
With that, Kimmich hinted that not only the quality of the team’s play but also the inner workings of the club have noticeably changed.
While in previous years even successful periods were regularly accompanied by discussions and unrest, the team currently appears to be much more united.
Bayern defies injury woes and Kompany’s absence
Just how important this unity is has become particularly evident in recent weeks.
Several key offensive players—including Luis Díaz, Serge Gnabry, and Ismael Saibari —have been sidelined recently. Added to this is the health-related absence of Vincent Kompany, who is still on the road to recovery after suffering from meningitis.
Kimmich himself also had to take a break following the death of his father. The national team player didn’t return to the squad until the Bundesliga classic against Borussia Dortmund.
Since then, the 31-year-old has played three competitive matches in quick succession, impressing with strong performances.
His opening goal in Mainz was therefore a particularly emotional moment for him. “It was more emotional than usual—that’s for sure. I thought of him immediately after the goal,” Kimmich explained, referring to his late father.
The fact that Bayern remain undefeated despite all the adversity underscores, in the midfielder’s view, the team’s special mentality.
After the international break, two key offensive players— Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz—are also expected to return. There is also hope for Kompany to make a timely comeback on the sidelines.
For Kimmich, it’s clear that the Munich team isn’t just benefiting from individual talent right now. Rather, the extraordinary team spirit within the squad could become a decisive factor for success in the battle for major titles.