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Starting spot gone! Seiwald: "I know what I have to offer!"

The ÖFB regular lost his place in Leipzig's starting lineup two months ago. Why that is and what gives him hope.

Starting spot gone! Seiwald: "I know what I have to offer!" Photo: © IMAGO / DeFodi Images
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"It's not an ideal situation," says Nicolas Seiwald.

The Salzburg native is currently having a tough time at RB Leipzig, with the current campaign so far going anything but according to plan for him.

Two defeats, one tactical shift

The midfielder was still in the starting lineup for the first four competitive matches, but after back-to-back defeats (1-3 against Werder, 1-4 against Como), he lost his place in mid-September.

"We changed things up a bit after that. We no longer play with a clear double pivot, but rather with a number six and a number eight. The coach currently sees that as the better solution," Seiwald explains.

A different profile required

Morocco's Neil El Aynaoui, who arrived in eastern Germany on loan from AS Roma in the summer, is an undisputed starter as the lone holding midfielder.

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Coach Demichelis forciert andere Spieler
Foto: ©IMAGO / Nordphoto

Manager Martin Demichelis wants "a different type of player who is more attack-minded, with more drive going forward," says the 25-year-old.

He is trying to improve his offensive game. "It is what it is. I'm still trying to stay on it, train well, and make the most of the playing time I get," he shrugs.

Not losing heart

It is not the first time that Seiwald has seen limited minutes in Leipzig. He is by no means losing heart, however.

"Du musst dich teilweise überwinden, von der Bank weg Verantwortung zu übernehmen"

"I know what I have to offer. If I know what the coach wants from me, I can implement it and work on it. That's why I'm confident things will change," he says.

The ÖFB team is a welcome boost

Nonetheless, the current ÖFB training camp is naturally balm for the Kuchl native's soul. Under head coach Ralf Rangnick, he remains a guaranteed starter.

But how is his confidence holding up at the moment? His response is nuanced.

"With the national team, it's business as usual. At Leipzig, it's a different story. Sometimes you have to push yourself to take responsibility coming off the bench. That's harder than when you are an established starter and it's clear you lead by example," says the 55-time international.

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You can find the original LAOLA1 article here.