Joshua Kimmich explains reasoning behind disallowed RB Leipzig goal

1

There was a rather curious scene during Bayern Munich’s 6-0 win over RB Leipzig on Friday evening. Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa thought he had pulled a goal back in the 66th-minute. Some five full minutes after the goal, however, match official Florian Badstübner ruled that it shouldn’t count. Badstübner’s linesman called attention to the fact that a free-kick in the lead-up was incorrectly taken by Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba. 

Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich noticed this immediately. As the highest ranking outfielder in the Bayern leadership council (vice captain to keeper Manuel Neuer), it was Kimmich’s responsibility to bring the matter to Badstübner’s attention. Kimmich nevertheless found himself booked for dissent in the 68th-minute. The goal was ultimately disallowed in the 71st-minute after both teams executed substitutions and Badstübner was compelled to take another look. 

“I complained about it because I noticed that he [Lukeba] just started dribbling,” Kimmich explained at the Sky Germany sports desk after the game, also noting, “I probably would have given myself a yellow card too as I was very stubborn about it

“I’ve honestly never seen anyone start dribbling off a free kick.” Kimmich continued. “That would be a very interesting rule change. I’m glad he [Badstübner] had the courage to reverse his decision.“

GGFN | Peter Weis