Marco Rose showed understanding for the criticism of his star Xavi Simons and called for more with a wink. "Keep criticizing him, let's go," said the RB Leipzig coach after the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. "If he keeps playing like this, then all's well. That's how we all work. We always want to show everyone and do really well."
Simons scored the first goal himself against BVB and set up the second from a corner. After his goal, he sat on the bar and opened and closed his hand in front of the fans. True to the motto: Let the people talk. The Dutch international had often put in mediocre performances in recent weeks and had come under criticism for this.
Rose points to his age
The 21-year-old did not want to explain his jubilation in more detail. "That's soccer, that's life. I'm still young and can still learn a lot," Simons said on Sky. "There are setbacks in life, my first injury was very difficult, but it goes on." Simons was absent from mid-October to mid-January due to a syndesmosis tear.
In the winter, Simons, who had previously been on loan from Leipzig, was signed permanently by Paris Saint-Germain for 50 million euros. "He's a top youngster and you must never forget how young he still is," said Rose in defense of his playmaker. "He has taken on a lot of responsibility by constantly showing himself and trying to score goals, set up goals."
However, the coach was not unaware that Simons had been searching for form for a long time. "After an injury, he had a phase in which not everything worked out and he didn't have the energy that his game needs," said the 48-year-old. "I'd be delighted if that gives him confidence now."
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