Germany's Kimmich hails 'very, very brave' Karl before expected debut
· Yahoo Sports
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich is counting on the special abilities of his Bayern Munich team-mates Lennart Karl and Jamal Musiala at the World Cup this June.
Visit freshyourfeel.com for more information.
Karl, 18, has been included in the Germany squad for the first time for World Cup warm-ups in Switzerland on Friday and three days later against Ghana in Stuttgart.
They are the last two friendlies before the initial squad needs to be named for June and July's tournament in North America.
"He is someone who goes onto the pitch and is very, very brave. That is actually something I always love as a player or team-mate when young players come in and when they are brave, when they back themselves," Kimmich told a news conference on Tuesday about Karl.
"When Lenny comes on ... he knows his strengths, he looks for actions where he can get a shot away. That is why I believe he can help us here and also at Bayern - he has already done that there - but he can also help us here."
Kimmich is also hoping for a specific World Cup impact from Musiala, who is missing from this squad as he continues to seek full fitness following a broken leg last July.
The 23-year-old is "incredibly important" for Bayern and the national team "because he brings qualities that are very special in world football," Kimmich said.
Musiala has shown in his matches for Bayern since his comeback that he can still "make the difference," Kimmich added.
"He has already shown that he is a very special player."
Musiala last played for the national team a year ago in the Nations League quarter-final play-offs against Italy.
2018 and 2022 flops mean extra focus needed in 2026
Kimmich also said he will not be distracted by his disappointing tournament experiences so far and is demanding total focus on the World Cup from his team mates.
The four-times champions went out in the group stage in the last two editions.
"In the end, what counts is what we bring onto the pitch. Even the best squad in the world has no guarantee of winning titles," Kimmich remarked.
"In 2018 we maybe had the best squad in the world and we know where it led us. Accordingly, it is not important to have the best squad in the world, but in the end to have the best team in the world."
"Everyone" must now "submit themselves" to that goal, he said. "The fact is that we are not among the top favourites."
The skipper went on: "Of course you expect everyone to devote themselves to the bigger picture 100% and to give everything. We must develop and be ready when it really matters."
Germany face debutants Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in the group stage of the expanded tournament in June.
The aim for the upcoming friendlies is for "a spine to bed in," said the 31-year-old, who is a midfielder for Bayern but right back for Germany.
"The goal is to achieve two positive results," Kimmich opined.
Winger Jamie Leweling was the latest injury victim to pull out of the March camp on Tuesday.