Overview
- Christoph Baumgartner says he is comfortable stepping into the creative duties vacated by Xavi Simons.
- He emphasizes there is no like-for-like replacement for Simons and that responsibility must be shared across the team.
- Leipzig lost Simons to Tottenham Hotspur, Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United and Loïs Openda to Juventus, which he says reduced quality and goals up front.
- Baumgartner points to a stronger team spirit and two early league wins, including a hard-fought 1-0 at Mainz, as evidence of recovery.
- He defends former coach Marco Rose as supported by the squad and praises new boss Ole Werner’s calm, fact-based approach as a good fit.