Klopp admits he 'hasn't fully understood' Bayern's tactics as he shuts down Kimmich debate

Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp took a rare turn in the broadcaster's chair on Wednesday evening, joining the DAZN halftime analysis during Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League clash with Arsenal and offering a candid, occasionally playful assessment of Vincent Kompany's side and several burning national-team issues.

"I still haven't fully understood what Bayern do against the ball"

The Bundestrainer admitted that even from the outside, Bayern's approach without possession left him scratching his head — with Harry Kane's unfamiliar defensive workload at the centre of his curiosity.

"I still haven't fully understood what Bayern do against the ball," Klopp said.

Klopp singled out the England striker's role before laughing off any suggestion he should be the arbiter of tactical correctness.

"I'm not the pope of football. Everyone is allowed to do what they want, but I haven't completely figured it out either," Klopp said with a smile.

Klopp is far from alone in his confusion. On October 22, midfielder Tom Bischof insisted Kane's deep positioning was a deliberate strategy rather than an improvised response, explaining: "That was all part of our plan. Harry drops back often to the six position. And I think Harry Kane has an unbelievable boot and he can play those passes." Kane illustrated exactly that against Arsenal, dropping into midfield to release Alphonso Davies with a defence-splitting pass before later winning and converting a penalty. Bayern's determination to keep their 33-year-old forward was underlined earlier this month when sporting director Christoph Freund said on October 10 that contract talks were "going very well."

Klopp refuses to fuel the Kimmich debate

Asked about Bayern's midfield pairing of Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic — with Joshua Kimmich absent from the match due to a bereavement in his family — Klopp refused to open another chapter in a comparison that has dogged his early tenure.

"I think it would be absolutely disrespectful to talk about that today because we can't do it without it subsequently becoming a Kimmich discussion," Klopp said. "Kimmich is an outstanding midfielder who will always have a place in this team."

The comments are the latest attempt by the former Liverpool coach to settle a discussion that has followed Germany throughout his opening international window. Get German Football News recently examined the mounting criticism of Klopp's public handling of the Kimmich debate, which intensified after Pavlovic, Bischof and Florian Wirtz excelled during Germany's first victory under the new regime.

"We're not stupid" — Tresoldi talks confirmed

Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi entered the conversation after his recent Champions League hat-trick against Inter Milan. Pressed on whether Germany were monitoring the Italy-eligible forward, Klopp was characteristically blunt.

"We're not stupid."

Klopp confirmed that Germany have already held talks with Tresoldi, who has also spoken with Italy head coach Roberto Mancini as he weighs his senior international future. The question has grown more pertinent given the 22-year-old's outstanding form with the Germany U21s, where he has emerged as one of the most obvious candidates for promotion to the senior side.

Germany national team in UEFA Nations League action

Füllkrug's recall door left ajar

Niclas Füllkrug remains firmly in the frame following his remarkable resurgence with Werder Bremen. The 33-year-old has returned to prolific form since rejoining his former club and has repeatedly faced questions about a Germany recall — frustration he recently voiced after extending his Bundesliga scoring streak.

Klopp acknowledged that Füllkrug's age must factor into Germany's planning, but kept the door open.

"We have a present, a medium-term future and a long-term future," Klopp said. "In the present, it can of course work. In the medium term, possibly as well. Long term, well, we'll have to see. He's 33, and that's not my fault."

What's next for Germany

Germany return to action in November with an away fixture against Serbia before hosting the Netherlands. Klopp's comments on Wednesday offered the clearest signal yet of how he intends to balance present needs with the next generation as he shapes his squad.