RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner: “I always need a kick in the butt”

Confession of pain to coach

Striker Timo Werner ended his goal drought with a stumbling goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. This means that RB Leipzig is back in the title race before coach Marco Rose returns to his former club Borussia Dortmund. The coach was surprised by Werner’s pain confession.

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The redeeming goal in stumbling somehow suited Timo Werner after previously agonizing weeks. “Absolute dream goal, I think,” said the international with a smile. After 374 minutes, the 26-year-old ended his goal drought and shot RB Leipzig back into the Bundesliga title race with his opening goal in the 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. “Leipzig has the quality to get even closer. Timo Werner played a top game, his speed is dangerous for any defense,” DFB sports director Rudi Völler praised the Stuttgart native on “Bild-TV” the day after: “He’s in good shape!”

“I’ve had his back enough times that there’s no reason to give him undue praise,” Rose said. He simply asked him “to score and prepare goals, use his speed and be able to make the difference somewhere.” tries to get the ball past Kevin Trapp somehow”) for the Swede in the best way for the 2-0.

Werner will be measured by goals and assists – next Friday in the top game in Dortmund. It is also Rose’s return to his former place of work after celebrating a dream debut as RB coach against Borussia on September 10, 2022 with a 3-0 win.

Coach Rose is also a success factor for Werner after the “tough time” at Chelsea FC, where he “ultimately just wanted to leave” after two years. “He’s got my back, I need that,” said a visibly relaxed Werner in the catacombs of the Red Bull Arena. At the same time, the striker revealed a surprising amount about his inner workings. “I don’t think I’m always the easiest character either. He gave me that I need a kick in the butt every now and then, he gives it to me and he will give it to me,” said Werner.

Even the coach had to sneer: “If he sees it that way for himself, then it’s probably like that, then he can have it.” Rose knows that his lightning-fast striker always needs a dose of trust. “He’s welcome to have that feel-good factor, but then he also has to deliver.” It’s only now that it’s becoming clear just how much pressure Werner put on himself after losing the World Cup due to a ruptured syndesmosis ligament in his left ankle. He was fit again quickly, “because I pushed myself a bit with the game against Munich,” he said. But then came the pain.

“It wasn’t ideal for the foot, the injury itself wasn’t the problem, it was more the construction sites around the foot like the Achilles’ heel,” said Werner, who was “totally limited, especially when sprinting”. Now he is finally pain free. “I noticed in the last few games that I was much more lively and agile.” Werner’s confession of pain even surprised his coach. “Timo was probably in a chatting mood?” he asked and admitted not having known anything about it. “He will have told the doctors and physiotherapists that. Some things don’t have to reach me, if he’s on the field and running at the weekend, then that’s okay with me,” said the coach, who is now facing a revitalized Borussia.

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