Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann demonstrated on Sunday that the Austrian midfielder will be the team’s new boss, taking the home defender’s armband Willi Orban after a vote of the players before the new season.
It’s a fitting popularity of the 26-year-old’s developing prestige, who has one of Europe’s most sensitive midfielders in recent years, helping Leipzig finish third in the Bundesliga in 2019/20. as in the semifinals of the Champions League.
See: all Sabitzers and assists in 2019/20
“Sabi led the team on the court as captain last season due to Willi’s injury,” Nagelsmann said of the Austrian international, who controlled Leipzig in thirteen of his 17 league games at the time of last season. “He has shown in decisive matches that he is in a position to take responsibility. [Being a chosen captain] is proof of his intelligent performance.”
And the boy was complete with them. Able to play wide on the right, in the middle of the offensive midfield or, as was occasionally in the case of the 2019/20, as a substitute in a more supporting role, Sabitzer sent one of his goals for the season on the first day, scoring one and offering 3 assists when Leipzig missed the winners 4-0 against Union Berlin.
And it wasn’t unique. Leipzig’s number 7 also played the full 90 minutes in the two draws against Bayern Munich, the winner of the triple, assisting Die Roten Bullen, the only team not to lose to the Reds in 2019/20. He scored one goal and one hand at the Battle of Mainz, Leipzig’s record, 8-0 in November 2019, he scored very significant goals in the two victories against Zenit St. Petersburg at the Champions League organization level, adding up a surprising strike that finished the moment at the Goal Vote of the Season festival, and provided an exquisite, out-of-purpose defensive pass to pave the way for Tyler Adams’ quarter-final winner against Atletico Madrid.
A panel of UEFA technical observers, which included Roberto Martínez, Phil Neville and Gareth Southgate, was inspired enough and named Sabitzer to the official 23-player team of the season in the Champions League.
Additionally, the midfielder has enjoyed his most productive Bundesliga season, chipping in nine goals and seven assists in 30 starts, with the only outfielders Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg Leipzig having played the most last season.
So obviously it has the quality. But Nagelsmann was quick to highlight other attributes when asked why Sabitzer was the only consistent one in Leipzig’s midfield and attacking positions: “It’s because of his reliability. He still plays at the same top level.
“With some players you never know if you can count on them. Sometimes they are smart enough to play for Real Madrid, and in the next game they aren’t even smart enough for reservists. [Sabitzer] stands out. because he has played well and is absolutely stable. “
Nagelsmann’s definition of what it means to “play well” gives additional insight into why Sabitzer’s lineup of skills is the best for leading the team in its sixth season at Red Bull Arena.
“It doesn’t matter if he’s tired or in really good shape, you know exactly what you’ll get out of him: hunger, the right tactical awareness, and the ability to start in the last 20 minutes if you want.”
While Nagelsmann admitted that Sabitzer is not the typical type of high-chested captain, describing him as “not a great talker, not a loud player,” his willingness to put the team first provides further evidence. of the wisdom behind the decision.
“In 2018/19 he played in a more offensive position and, despite many chances, he didn’t score much,” said the 33-year-old tactician.
“Now he plays like number 6 and is one of the strongest players in the Bundesliga. I am surprised that he adapted so well. At first I thought he would complain about betting more, but he grew in position. “
No complaints, just consistent top-notch expansion and displays – Sabitzer himself is unlikely to shout about it, however it may no longer go unnoticed by the general public.
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