Young midfielder targeting fruitful 2020 as he bids to prove the doubters wrong

Joshua Kimmich is determined "to achieve big things" this year for club and country.

The midfielder certainly has grounds for optimism, with Bayern Munich moving up the gears after the Christmas break and Germany looking more like its old self of late.

After a wobbly start to the campaign that resulted in the dismissal of head coach Niko Kovac, Bayern returned to the top of the Bundesliga standings for the first time since September with a 3-1 victory at Mainz on Saturday.

Bayern's resurgence is an ominous sign for rivals, with confidence growing among Hans-Dieter Flick's players that their doubters will be eating their words come May.

"The goal must be to show we are still among the best European teams," midfielder Kimmich told Xinhua. "We are convinced we can achieve big things this season and are strong enough to do it."

The big games are coming thick and fast for Bayern now. Next Sunday it hosts second-place title rival RB Leipzig and on Feb 25 faces Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Bayern has fallen at the last-16 stage in the past two years－to eventual winners Real Madrid and Liverpool－but Kimmich rates his team as "slight favorite" against Frank Lampard's Blues.

With just one point separating the Bundesliga's top two, Kimmich described the Leipzig showdown as "an important moment for this season's outcome".

Bayern, though, is also looking over its shoulder at third-place Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach in fourth as Flick's men look to secure an eighth consecutive national championship.

"We have to stay entirely focused," said Kimmich of one of the most closely contested Bundesliga title races in years. "Everyone expects Bayern always to win the title, but everyone is waiting for us to fail and would be happy to see a new national champion. This is our challenge."

Euro dreams

After Germany's nightmare campaign at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, the 24-year-old Kimmich is also raring to prove the doubters wrong at Euro 2020.

Joachim Loew's side has been drawn in the tournament's "group of death" against world champion France and reigning European champion Portugal.

However, after qualifying for the finals by topping its group and with all its Euro 2020 group matches to be played in Munich, Kimmich is optimistic about his country's chances.

"We have big quality, maybe also to beat teams like France, Portugal, England or Spain," said Kimmich.

"Germany is still in the process of development with our young team, but playing all three group games on home soil gives us a special feeling and motivation."

Kimmich said the young German squad wants to show it has more than just potential.

"Everyone in the squad has to take responsibility. This is a restart, giving us an opportunity we have to take, because football is a team sport demanding joint action."

That doesn't mean they won't be looking to the past for inspiration, however.

"Germany always had the chance to win the title," Kimmich said of the three-time European and four-time world champion. "They were called a tournament team, getting stronger from round to round.

"The new generation must actively fight for a title and talk about our goals. Someday it will be necessary to win a title to be able to talk about a new era.

"Considering that, I expect to see desire, determination and hunger in every game."

Growing influence

Having amassed 48 caps, Kimmich already feels like one of the squad's veterans.

"I was part of the 2016 squad as the side's rookie, and I am part of the new team. That gives me the feeling of being one of the cornerstones of the change.

"We have lost great experience, and we need new leaders. To perform well as an individual isn't enough anymore. I want to influence our general performance and deliver my part to help us win."

Having begun his international career at rightback, Kimmich is now a mainstay on the right side of midfield, both for Germany and Bayern. He is relishing his greater attacking influence on the pitch.

"In the past, I didn't think much about reading a game and feeling the game rhythm," he said. "To be around as a regular proves I have developed to become a more important part of the team.

"As a winger, you are much more dependent on your teammates but have more opportunities to decide a game. As a defensive midfielder, you rarely stand out from the pack. So you have less chance to impress offensively."

China trip

Kimmich visited China in 2015 with Bayern after moving from then second-tier Leipzig. It's a trip he remembers fondly.

"I was surprised people knew me, even though I came from the second division," he said. "Fans were crazy, in a positive way. Then I understood Bayern is something exceptional in international football."

As for China's young talent, Kimmich's advice is simple－enjoy the journey and express yourself. "I know there are many young footballers in China. I hope they enjoy training and playing games, which is vital.

"You should know why you are on the field, because you want to have fun with your friends and you want to win games. Believe in your strength and show your passion."

XINHUA