Joshua Kimmich praised Bayern Munich's response to their first league defeat but admitted their spirits were clouded by an injury to opposition player Benjamin Henrichs in Friday's 5-1 win over RB Leipzig.
After losing 2-1 at seventh-placed Mainz six days earlier, Bayern beat fourth-placed Leipzig 5-1 at home on Friday, with the help of a long-range strike to make it 3-0. Time.
Right-back Heinrich, one of Kimmich's Germany team-mates, compounded Leipzig's misery late on with a leg injury.
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Henrichs injury: Players 'don't know what's wrong'
“The players felt that the game in Mainz was our worst performance of the season,” Kimmich told DAZN after his side finished seven points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
“We hardly had a chance to score.” This is very different from today. I don't know what's wrong with Benny (because) he's a little clouded, but it's very important that he goes home happy. We hope it's not as bad as it seems.”
Bundesliga top scorer Harry Kane, recovering from injury, headed home Jamal Musiala's first-half opener from Germany international Michael Olis to give Stoke his fourth goal from close range in four games.
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Leipzig trailed less than 60 seconds later when Lois Openda jumped into space and crossed to Benjamin Sesko in the slot.
The equalizer was the first time in the history of German top-flight football that both teams had scored in the first two minutes of a match.
Former Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer finished one-on-one with Olise to put Bayern back in front after 25 minutes before Kimmich struck in memorable fashion before Leroy Sane and Alphonso Davies put the hosts back on target late on. He was able to lead.
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Bayern vs Leipzig: Kimmich goal
Captain Kimmich ended a year-long wait for a league goal. “We started really well and conceded an equalizer straight away, but you could tell from the start that we really wanted to win the game and we had the upper hand,” he said.
βIn general, Jamal set me free. Leipzig always defends in a 5-3-2 formation, so I have some space. He always said I was free and he could find me if he wanted.
βI'm pretty good in practice so I'm always getting bullied for shots, but never in a game like that. Luckily I got in today.β