RB Leipzig: the winning return of Xavi Simons

Returning to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023 after a season where he completely exploded at PSV Eindhoven, Xavi Simons was then loaned last year to RB Leipzig. Confirming all his talent on the Saxony side, the attacking midfielder had been a major asset for the German club (10 goals and 15 assists in 43 matches). While we might have expected to see him return permanently to Paris Saint-Germain, the story was very different. Subject to a struggle between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig and not wishing to play for Paris Saint-Germain this season, Xavi Simons finally had the opportunity to continue by being loaned to the team coached by Marco Rose .

If he did not need acclimatization by finding a group similar to the one he knew last year, Xavi Simons nevertheless had much more difficulty launching his season. Alternating between the position of number 10 and that of left winger, the Dutchman had to wait until September 28 to prove decisive for the first time against Augsburg (4-0) with a goal and an offering. An important match since it allowed the player to free himself even though he seemed quite tense during his first outings. “He needs to focus on the basics. He wants to have a statistical impact, but as a coach, I don’t ask him for anything more. He just has to remain the bright, free boy he’s always been» recalled his coach Marco Rose after the meeting.

Xavi Simons amazed everyone

However, the situation was going to get complicated on October 23 against Liverpool (1-0 defeat). While RB Leipzig had lost their first two matches in the competition (and now finds themselves with 6 losses in 6 matches, editor’s note), Xavi Simons came out with an ankle injury after this complicated match. Affected in the ligaments, he finally stayed 81 days off the field, enough to end his 2024 year in the worst possible way. 2025, on the other hand, is off to a perfect start for Xavi Simons. Recovered, he returned to the Bundesliga as a starter against Werder Bremen (4-2). A match that he clearly left his mark on. Placed on the left of a flat 4-4-2, he scored twice in 12 minutes, including a missile under the bar. Now credited with 3 goals and 2 assists in 11 matches, Xavi Simons is off to a good start and shows that his mixed start to the season was nothing to worry about.

Exited after 65 minutes of a successful performance, he was happy with this return with fanfare. “It was really fun. It was a great feeling to be fit again and back on the pitch. For me, it was the first time I got injured. The last few months have been a journey, but like I said, all I could think about was coming back stronger“, he declared to DAZN after the meeting. “Lots of time spent working for this moment. We are coming back. So let’s come back», wrote the player on his social networks just after. His coach Marco Rose was also rave: “we know Xavi is a different player. I told him shortly after the match “good job” and by that I don’t mean today’s match, but the path he followed after his injury. Like he did after his injury. It’s extraordinary after three months, I can also include Raum, he also played a very good match today.» With Xavi Simons in good shape, Leipzig, which is 4th in the Bundesliga, can dream of a very good second half of the season.