Joshua Kimmich Bayern Munich 2019-20Getty Images

Forget Messi or De Bruyne: How 'phenomenal' Kimmich became Europe's most creative player

While Kingsley Coman will be remembered as the player that headed Bayern Munich to the 2019-20 Champions League crown, it was Joshua Kimmich's delightful assist that deserves its own place in the history books. 

Approaching the hour mark in Lisbon, the right-back pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the Paris Saint-Germain penalty area, paused ever so briefly before expertly picking out Coman at the back post. 

It was one of those chances that was harder to miss, and Coman took full advantage to punish his former club and secure a 1-0 win

Kimmich's telling contribution inevitably got lost in the narrative of Coman coming back to haunt PSG and sums up the often underrated role the Germany international plays in this star-studded Bayern team. 

With all eyes Robert Lewandowski up front and Thiago Alcantara in midfield, it was right-back Kimmich that provided assists for three of Bayern's final four goals in the Champions League this season. 

Remarkably, despite playing six of Bayern's 11 Champions League games in defence, Kimmich created 28 chances throughout the competition - more than any other player. 

His 108 entries into opposition's box and 985 touches were also tournament highs as the 25-year-old played a subtly influential role in keeping the Bundesliga champions ticking. 

In all competitions this season, Kimmich featured in 51 games for Bayern, scoring seven goals and contributing 17 assists. While playing predominantly as a defensive midfielder, he shone back in his previous full-back role in Europe while also playing twice as a centre-back. 

It is this type of versatility that recently earned him the plaudits of Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, who believes Kimmich should be considered among the best players in the world.

"I see him as a top right-back, left-back, centre-back, No.6, No.8, No.10...he has the qualities to be anything," Mourinho told DAZN

"I think he looks to me, very intelligent related to football, understands the moments of the games, understands the difference between positions and understands what he has to do here and what he has to do there. I think he’s phenomenal, an absolutely phenomenal player."

Since joining Bayern in 2015 from then-second division outfit RB Leipzig, Kimmich has won five straight Bundesliga titles and become an increasingly important part of their side. 

As his recent Champions League stats highlight, the Stuttgart youth product knows how leave a mark on a game without ever drawing too much notice. Like a thief in the night, Kimmich can sneak up on teams and prove key as Bayern walk away with all three points.

Joshua Kimmich BayernGetty Images

Defensively strong and with a creative mind, Kimmich's current style of play has Pep Guardiola stamped all over it, with the Catalan coach having recruited and ultimately transformed the young German during his time in Munich. 

The Manchester City boss is infamously demanding of his players and often seemed particularly invested in Kimmich's development - something that has ultimately paid off. 

"When I came to Bayern, I was a second-division player. For me it was a new world. The coach [Guardiola] showed me a lot, showed me the spaces on the pitch," Kimmich told the Independent in 2019.

"The coach was amazing. Soon I was a national player, competing in the Euros. He changed me. He inspired me.

Pep Guardiola Joshua Kimmich Bayern DortmundGetty Images

"He’s really emotional, so when he sees if there’s something going wrong, or if you made a mistake, he has to talk to you directly, not in the dressing room or one day after. He wants you to understand the situation, and it’s much easier as a player that way."

Hansi Flick has clearly relished making the most of Kimmich's versatility this season, and though he has found a winning formula with him at right-back in Europe, the Bayern manager has previously hinted his long-term future lies in midfield. 

"He is already playing this position and will do so in the future for the national team," Flick told Kicker in late 2019.

"He still has more potential for the central defensive midfield role, he is even more focused there, he can read the game well and has good options both with the ball and against the ball." 

Regardless of exactly where Kimmich plays moving forward, his Champions League heroics have made it clear he will be a key component of Bayern's success for many years to come. 

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