Before his debut in the Champions League, his coach Marco Rose gave Xavi Simons a key role and predicted a great future. “He’s simply an outstanding player with exceptional quality and perspective because he’s still young. With more games under his belt and more experience, the package will be even more complete,” said Rose about the 20-year-old Dutchman.
Simons has scored three goals and assisted four more in four games so far. In the evening (6.45 p.m./DAZN) he is expected to take on a key role in the Football Champions League at Young Boys Bern.
CL-Premiere
However, Simons has never played in the premier class. His parent club Paris Saint-Germain, Leipzig loaned him out for a season and the offensive player was in the squad twice without playing in the round of 16 of the 2021/22 season. This isn’t a problem for Rose. “His profile is exceptional. He’s never satisfied, he always wants more. He’s a great boy,” said the coach.
Simons is also one of the players who is used to artificial turf from his youth. Leipzig has to play on an unfamiliar surface in Bern’s Wankdorf Stadium. In preparation, the Saxons already trained on artificial turf on Sunday morning. “Of course Bern is more used to this, but we will make up for it with our quality. It won’t be because of the artificial turf,” said Kevin Kampl. The veteran replaces the injured Willi Orban as captain.
