Joshua Kimmich is set to appear in his 30th Der Klassiker early next year, but the latest instalment of Germany’s flagship fixture was a particularly poignant one for the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Kimmich had missed the champions’ last three games on compassionate grounds following the recent passing of his father, Berthold, at the age of 57. On Saturday, the Bayern No.6 was back in the starting line-up for one of the most highly anticipated games of the season so far.

Both Bayern and Borussia Dortmund were desperate to land the first blow in the race for the 2026/27 Bundesliga title, but the acute personal grief of a teammate and colleague - as Kimmich is at international level for several members of the Dortmund squad - was never far from people’s minds at the Allianz Arena.

Kimmich had a brief exchange with Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač in the first half of Saturday's Matchday 8 Klassiker. - IMAGO/Oryk HAIST

The compassion felt by Bayern’s opponents was clear, even while the game was going on. As Kimmich approached the Dortmund technical area during a brief first-half stoppage, BVB coach Niko Kovač - who knows Kimmich well from his time in charge of Bayern - wrapped an arm around the midfielder’s shoulders before play resumed.

Kimmich shed light on the exchange after the match, revealing that he had thanked Kovač for a message he had sent him earlier this week. “That was very, very special,” Kimmich said. “I wanted to say thank you.”

Even at full time, with emotions running high after Fabio Silva’s late equaliser, the teams’ on-pitch rivalry was swiftly put to one side as Dortmund’s players - led by defender Nico Schlotterbeck - passed on their sympathies.

Watch: Schlotterbeck offers condolences

Kimmich hopes his involvement in Saturday’s breathless Klassiker will help restore a semblance of normality as he attempts to navigate such a tragic and unexpected loss.

“This past week has been very hard on my family and me,” he said. “My dad was always there for me, always stood by me and supported me. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

“Sometimes, you just wish the world would stand still for a bit. Unfortunately - or maybe fortunately - it keeps on spinning. That’s why I’m glad to be back.”

Watch: Bayern 2-2 Dortmund

The game itself may have ended in frustration for Kimmich and Bayern, but Aaron Danks - who was once again standing in for head coach Vincent Kompany - was delighted with his skipper’s performance.

“Joshua Kimmich was everywhere,” he said. “He provided us with energy, bringing all his professionalism to the game. The players gave everything and left it all on the pitch.”

Delivering that type of performance in such unimaginably difficult circumstances speaks huge volumes about Kimmich’s character.

His father, suffice to say, would have been beaming with pride.