Kevin Kampl sees the RB Leipzig team as a decisive step forward compared to last season. "I notice that everyone wants to show something special, is extremely clear and focused. The lads are up for it," the 33-year-old told the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. In pre-season, "we weren't always at our maximum. We could have been even better". It feels different at the moment, something has happened in the summer.
Kampl didn't want to see the run of three wins from three competitive games ahead of the Bundesliga clash with 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky) as a real run. "But I have to say, we're very solid right now, very clear about what we want. A lot of teams want to be at the top and do something, they're all at a similar level. It's the mental state of the team that makes the difference," said Kampl. Across the season, RB would be 16 competitive games in a row without defeat if they won or drew.
Blooming like Kroos and Modric
Kampl has played his part in this. The defensive midfielder seized the opportunity created by the absence of Xaver Schlager due to injury and is now a regular thanks to his good performances. He is at his best mentally. "In terms of my experience and knowledge, I feel I'm at my peak in the six," said Kampl.
The former Slovenian international sees this as a kind of genesis in professional soccer. "Basti Schweinsteiger, Toni (Kroos), Luka Modric, they all blossomed again in their old age in the six," emphasized Kampl. "Especially in this position, experience is worth so, so much. You need a lot of games to get there. Then you have an overview of what's going on around you, the confidence and the knowledge to make the right decisions." He is very in tune with himself right now,
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