Matthäus picks best midfielder from Inter and Bayern options

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 10:02 AM ET

Lothar Matthäus has decided who he thinks is the ‘best’ midfielder out of the six players expected to start in the Champions League quarter-final between Bayern Munich and Inter on Tuesday night: Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Thomas Müller.

The former Bayern and Nerazzurri midfielder gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport on the day of the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Allianz Arena in Bavaria. He also explained what Simone Inzaghi needs to do if he is to return to Italy with three points in the bag.

Matthäus picks best midfielder from Inter and Bayern

Among various other topics, the Pink Paper also asked Matthäus who he feels is the best midfielder out of the six expected starters.

He replied: “All six are very strong, have quality and are important for their team. Some have more offensive skills, some more defensive, but for me, the most complete is Kimmich.”

He continued: “I’m really happy he’s still at Bayern, because he’s a leader, a professional who gives 100% every day. Watch him even in the warm-up tonight: You will immediately see how focused he is.

“If the club has chosen to renew him now, it is because he will be important for the next few years, particularly when Müller and Neuer will no longer be there. At that point he will be the captain and the reference point.”

Kimmich is expected to line up alongside his international teammates Goretzka and Müller in midfield, in what is a Bayern side depleted by injuries. Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito, Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala and Kingsley Coman are all expected to be unavailable on the night.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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