2023-09-29 13:42:00
Wednesday evening, escape light, cup fight.
The first task on the way to the big final in Berlin was tough for defending champions RB Leipzig, even if it didn’t initially look like that on paper.
The favorite from Dinge only led 2-1 following a little more than an hour at second division promoted Wehen Wiesbaden, which is why coach Marco Rose decided to bring Xavi Simons off the bench instead of him completely for the top Bundesliga game on Saturday once morest FC Bayern (6:30 p.m. in the live ticker). A measure that should pay off. Less than five minutes later, the 20-year-old initiated the third and ultimately decisive goal (final score 3:2) from Benjamin Sesko with a clever pass (70th).
Mandatory task fulfilled and thus a clear answer to the question: Can you do it on a cold Wednesday night in … Wiesbaden?
Xavi Simons is off to a dream start at RB Leipzig
Without the ideas of Xavier Quentin Shay, known as Xavi, Simons, RB Leipzig can’t do it these days.
The youngster came from Paris Saint-Germain on loan in the summer (with no option to buy) and is taking the Bundesliga by storm with his ball control, his speed dribbling and his overview. There is no sign of adjustment problems or even pressure to fill the shoes of the two top players Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea FC) and Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool FC) who have left – on the contrary.
Simons recorded a whopping eight scorer points (three goals, five assists) in his first five league games – the last time a certain Erling Haaland put up such numbers as a newcomer to the German upper house was for Borussia Dortmund in the 2019/2020 season (nine scorer points).
Xavi Simons cheers together with Lois Openda (front) – RB Leipzig
Fotocredit: Getty Images
Xavi Simons: Celebrated in Leipzig, left out in Paris
“His profile is extraordinary. He is never satisfied, he always wants more. He’s already a great boy,” coach Rose recently raved regarding his protégé and went on to predict a great future for him: “He’s simply an outstanding player with an extraordinary talent Quality and with perspective because he is still young. With more games under his belt and more experience the package will be even more complete.”
Simons has already gained an insight into the world of Europe’s heavyweights. The young international was trained in La Masia, FC Barcelona’s legendary talent factory. However, Simons was never allowed to play for the Catalans’ professional team. Instead, his path led him to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Despite outstanding numbers in PSG’s U19 representation (twelve points scorer in 13 games) and a real social media hype – Simons now has more than five million followers on Instagram – he has not (yet) made the breakthrough at the French model club.
RB wants to extend with Xavi Simons
At the time, the competition in the offensive of the Parisian star ensemble around Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar was too great. Even if the latter had taken on a “kind of fatherly role” for Simons, as he explained in a “Sky” interview.
The offensive man only made his breakthrough at PSV Eindhoven, where he became the top scorer in the Eredivisie (19 goals in 34 games) last season. PSG then made use of the right to buy back (four million euros) and is now parking it in Leipzig, at least temporarily – or at least in the longer term?
RB sports director Max Eberl recently announced that the cup winners were aiming to expand the current loan deal.
“Of course we intend to extend this in the best case scenario Sporting officials courted by FC Bayern told the “Kicker”.
Dani Olmo (l.) celebrates his hat-trick in the Supercup once morest FC Bayern with Xavi Simons
Fotocredit: Getty Images
Xavi Simons once morest Bayern in focus
This also seems to be entirely in line with Xavi Simons. “I enjoy every day with the boys, with the team. I quickly feel at home. That’s the most important thing for me. I knew that I was in good hands here,” the 20-year-old recently explained and emphasized: ” I will continue to work and bring in all the energy I have.”
This makes it all the more important for Simons. For the Dutchman it’s time to perform on the big football stage once more and not “just” on a cold Wednesday in Wiesbaden.
#SotipptderBoss: FC Bayern destroys Leipzig in the top game
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