Timo Werner and RB Leipzig are making waves in the Bundesliga. The newly promoted side are unbeaten in their seven league outings this season and they are looking to extend this run in their home match with SV Werder Bremen on Sunday. One of Leipzig’s stand-out players is U21 international Timo Werner. The striker joined Leipzig from VfB Stuttgart last summer and has since scored three Bundesliga goals for his new club.
In this exclusive interview with DFB.de, Werner talks about Leipzig’s secret to success, handling the animosity from the opposing fans and the successful qualifying campaign of the Germany U21 team for the European Championships.
DFB.de: Mr. Werner, Leipzig are the most successful newly promoted side ever. Did you expect this to happen?
Timo Werner: Of course we had hopes, but it wasn’t to be expected that we would play this well against strong teams and win so many games right away.
DFB.de: Despite your successful run this season, the coach has opted for a different starting line-up in each game. Does the Leipzig line-up adjust depending on who the opposition is?
Werner: I would rather point towards the depth of our squad. Every position has several players in competition for the spot. That allows us to make many changes. The last few weeks were quite tiring, but in the end it doesn’t matter who is standing on the pitch. Everyone here is looking to give their best performance.
DFB.de: Sporting director Ralf Rangnick is very close to the team, sometimes he even talks with players during half-time. Is he like your second coach?
Werner: No, we have a coach and Ralf Rangnick is our sporting director. But sometimes he will grab one of us players and give us some advice. You have a much better view from the stands where he is sitting. Our tactical setup is always determined by our coach though.
Timo Werner and RB Leipzig are making waves in the Bundesliga. The newly promoted side are unbeaten in their seven league outings this season and they are looking to extend this run in their home match with SV Werder Bremen on Sunday. One of Leipzig’s stand-out players is U21 international Timo Werner. The striker joined Leipzig from VfB Stuttgart last summer and has since scored three Bundesliga goals for his new club.
In this exclusive interview with DFB.de, Werner talks about Leipzig’s secret to success, handling the animosity from the opposing fans and the successful qualifying campaign of the Germany U21 team for the European Championships.
DFB.de: Mr. Werner, Leipzig are the most successful newly promoted side ever. Did you expect this to happen?
Timo Werner: Of course we had hopes, but it wasn’t to be expected that we would play this well against strong teams and win so many games right away.
DFB.de: Despite your successful run this season, the coach has opted for a different starting line-up in each game. Does the Leipzig line-up adjust depending on who the opposition is?
Werner: I would rather point towards the depth of our squad. Every position has several players in competition for the spot. That allows us to make many changes. The last few weeks were quite tiring, but in the end it doesn’t matter who is standing on the pitch. Everyone here is looking to give their best performance.
DFB.de: Sporting director Ralf Rangnick is very close to the team, sometimes he even talks with players during half-time. Is he like your second coach?
Werner: No, we have a coach and Ralf Rangnick is our sporting director. But sometimes he will grab one of us players and give us some advice. You have a much better view from the stands where he is sitting. Our tactical setup is always determined by our coach though.
DFB.de: Once you leave the city of Leipzig, RB isn’t very popular amongst other clubs in the Bundesliga. Does that provide extra motivation?
Werner: No, not at all. No away team is ever cheered on by the home crowd. There are some jeers directed at us, but we can live with that. What’s happened so far this season? Our away games have always been quite exciting.
DFB.de: But in Cologne they blockaded your bus…
Werner: Honestly, how many people were in the stadium? About 50,000 and how many were taking part in this blockade? Maybe 50. Most of them just came to the stadium to watch a good game of football. I thought too much was made of the incident. When I played for VfB Stuttgart we weren’t greeted nicely during away games. I don’t see any difference.
DFB.de: Let’s talk about the U21 national team, who successfully qualified for the European Championships by winning all ten of their games. Does that make Germany a favourite for the title?
Werner: We can definitely go there with confidence. But we will have to wait and see in what form we will be at the time.
DFB.de: Do you even want to play at the U21 EURO’s, or would you rather take part at the Confed Cup in Russia? Afterall, Joachim Löw announced that he would be taking players with perspective.
Werner: I’m happy if I get to take part, no matter at which competition. If I should be playing at the European Championships, I will do my best to try and help the team perform successfully. There is still a long road ahead for me to get to the national team and lot’s can happen until then. Right now I’m rather focussed on giving it my best in each game for the U21 side and for RB Leipzig.
