"It definitely won’t be about playing pretty football" | OneFootball

After three games out, Xaver Schlager is back – and with him, a touch of authority returns to Leipzig’s midfield. The Austrian made his comeback in the 2-1 home win over HSV, coming on in the 78th minute to replace his compatriot Christoph Baumgartner.

Now the 28-year-old is fully fit again – just in time for a demanding week with fixtures against FC Augsburg, Energie Cottbus in the DFB-Pokal and the Bundesliga clash with fellow high flyers VfB Stuttgart.

How fit are you, Xaver?

“I can’t say yet how many minutes I have in me,” Xaver admitted honestly after training. “You have to build yourself back up through training and stay fit over several weeks, so I don’t want to make any predictions.”

One thing is certain, though - he’s determined to win his place back. Head coach Ole Werner recently praised the midfielder’s progress: “He’s fit again and has now trained with the team for two weeks. It’s about getting his rhythm back. We’ve got a busy week ahead – and we can count on him for that.”

What awaits us in Augsburg?

Looking ahead to the trip to Augsburg, the Austrian international knows exactly what to expect: “I can’t remember a game in Augsburg ever being fun. A few years ago, we were 3-0 down there pretty quickly. They make life really tough for you. Our goal has to be to stand our ground and win the key duels – it definitely won’t be about playing pretty football.”

Games in southwest Bavaria are always hard-fought. Xaver embodies the very qualities needed in such games: strength in duels, vision and composure on the ball. With a pass completion rate of over 90%, he ranks among the top ten players in the league, which is impressive for a midfielder. Only Bayern’s Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović boast a higher rate as central midfielders.

“The foundations are in place”

After a disrupted pre-season, the 28-year-old is encouraged by the team’s progress: “You can really see that we’ve improved from game to game. Defensively, we’ve become much more stable. Now the focus is more on creating and taking more chances up front. The foundations are there – and from that solid defensive base, we need to generate even more attacking drive.”

Competition for places in midfield is fierce, but Xaver remains unfazed: “As a footballer, you’re always in competition – that’s part of it. Everyone wants to play. Everyone gives their all in training and tries to perform at their best. In the end, the best XI will be out there on the pitch.”

On team spirit and trust

The Salzburg native also had words of praise for his teammates Christoph Baumgartner and Nici Seiwald. “Baumi’s a fantastic player. He’s now getting the space he needs, and when he feels that trust from everyone around him, he’s incredibly strong. Nici’s a great guy who works really hard. In life, consistency is often what drives you forward – and that’s exactly his mindset.”

Whether playing as a six or an eight, the vice-captain is always ready to take responsibility. “Wherever the coach plays me, I’ll always try to help the team,” he concluded. “There’s still a long way to go this season, but I want to make the most of it.”

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