Bayern’s Kimmich Regrets Being Undecided about Vaccine for So Long

Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
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Bayern’s Kimmich Regrets Being Undecided about Vaccine for So Long

Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
Joshua Kimmich. (AP)

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich said he regrets not making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner after the midfielder was ruled out until January due to lingering effects of the novel coronavirus.

Kimmich, who has returned to light training but is struggling with minor lung issues after contracting COVID-19 in November, said last week he would miss the remainder of the year.

"Broadly, it was just difficult for me to deal with my fears and concerns, and that's why I remained undecided for so long," Kimmich told ZDN on Sunday.

"Maybe I had to go through what I have now gone through first. Of course, looking back, I would like to make the vaccination decision earlier, but at the time it wasn't possible for me."

Kimmich revealed in October he was unvaccinated and the club came out in support of the player, a move that triggered a storm of criticism across Germany.

Kimmich said he understood the criticism that was directed his way but that some of it went too far.

"I have to say personally that some of the limits have been exceeded," the 26-year-old said.

"I also had the feeling that there was one or the other who tried to distinguish themselves through this situation. It wasn't always just objective criticism."

Bayern, who are six points clear in the Bundesliga, travel to face Stuttgart on Tuesday.



Juventus Beat Al-Ain 5-0 at Club World Cup

Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al-Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al-Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
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Juventus Beat Al-Ain 5-0 at Club World Cup

Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al-Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW
Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between Al-Ain and Juventus in Washington, DC, USA, 18 June 2025. EPA/SHAWN THEW

Randal Kolo Muani and Francisco Conceicao both scored twice as the young guns of Juventus made a statement in their Club World Cup opener with a dominant 5-0 win over Emirati club Al-Ain on Wednesday.

Kolo Muani grabbed both of his goals in the first half, Conceicao scored either side of the break while Türkiye forward Kenan Yildiz also found the net as Juventus dazzled the crowd at Audi Field with some mesmeric football.

"I'm very happy to win the game, the team played a great game so we're happy and now we'll get ready for the next game," Reuters quoted Kolo Muani as saying.

"I finished last season well and we've started this good as well."

The convincing victory sent Juventus top of Group G level on three points with England's Manchester City, who beat Wydad Casablanca 2-0 earlier on Wednesday.

Twice Asian champions Al-Ain conceded two thirds of the pitch for much of the first half and Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram ran the show from about 35 meters out with Conceicao and Yildiz buzzing around in front of him.

A neat exchange of passing in the 11th minute set Alberto Costa free on the edge of the box and the young Portuguese right back lofted over a cross which Kolo Muani met with a powerful header at the far post for the opening goal.

Costa's fine work down the right flank 10 minutes later set up the second goal for Conceicao, who ghosted across the box before unleashing a shot which took a deflection and flew over the outstretched arms of Rui Patricio in the Al-Ain goal.

A further 10 minutes on and the lively Yildiz took the ball on the left before cutting inside, taking two touches and firing a shot into the net off the post.

Al-Ain had to push forward if they were going to get anything out of the game but they paid the price for their ambition in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

A through ball from Thuram found Kolo Muani peeling off the last defender and the French striker slotted the ball into net with the outside of his right foot to take his tally to five goals in his last six games for The Old Lady.

The Emirati side had a goal ruled out for offside at the start of the second half and skipper Kodjo Laba drew a fine save out of Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the 49th minute.

Conceicao, however, put the game well beyond them in the 58th minute when he skipped into the box from the right wing and beat Portuguese Patricio for the second time with a fine low strike.

Patricio finally showed the quality that earned him 108 Portugal caps to deny Kolo Muani a hat-trick in the 66th minute and Juventus substitute Douglas Luiz came close to further blowing out the scoreline in the last couple of minutes.

Juventus next play Morroco's Wydad in Philadephia on Sunday, while Al-Ain, who lost to Real Madrid in the 2018 Club World Cup final, face City in Atlanta later the same day.