Bayern and Borussia Dortmund played out a 2-2 draw in the big Bundesliga derby, a match marked by an emotional moment between Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich and Dortmund coach Niko Kovac. In the first half, Kimmich approached Kovac, the two exchanged a few words, and then embraced warmly.
Kimmich recently lost his father, Berthold, who died suddenly at the age of 57. Due to the tragedy, the Bayern captain missed three matches, and against Dortmund, he returned to the pitch for the first time. Kovac, who coached Kimmich at Bayern from 2018 to 2019, contacted him after his father's death to express his condolences.
After the match, Kimmich explained to Sky Sport why he decided to approach his former coach. "He sent me a message during the week. That was very special to me, truly special. That is why I thanked him," Kimmich said.
Kovac confirmed that the gesture was completely natural. "After the unexpected death of his father, of course I expressed my condolences. He replied to me, and now we have seen each other. It is perfectly normal for me that we greeted each other and embraced," the Dortmund coach stated.
After the derby, Kimmich spoke publicly for the first time about the loss. "It was a very, very difficult week. I am glad to be back on the pitch. It was not easy, but during the match, you at least forget about everything for a short while. My father always supported me, he was always by my side and encouraged me. He believed in me even in moments when I did not believe in myself. Sometimes you wish the world would stop for a moment, but unfortunately and fortunately, it keeps turning," Kimmich said.
He thanked Bayern, the German Football Association, and everyone who had supported him and his family. After the match, Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, his teammate on the German national team, also approached Kimmich and embraced him.
