Timo Werner has no time for the Champions League. The striker says goodbye with the Bundesliga final from Leipzig and moves on to London before the CL tournament. Before that, however, he adds himself to the club’s history – and presents his ex-club with several problems.
First Timo Werner posed with the entire team for a last farewell photo, then the Leipzig goal scorer blew up the press conference. There he said trainer Julian Nagelsmann with an intimate hug “Goodbye” again. “You go when it’s most beautiful. It’s always the best way to finish,” said Werner. For the international, the last game for RB Leipzig was a farewell like a picture book.
For four years, Werner delighted the Saxons with goals on the assembly line, in the 2-1 (1-0) in the league final at FC Augsburg he made it one last time with his season goals 27 and 28. “My team-mates always remain in my heart. The time in Leipzig was the best in my career,” added the 24-year-old. Now it’s off to Chelsea on the island, the Blues put 53 million euros on the table for the services of the striker.
Werner said goodbye in Augsburg with a double record. With 17 away goals, he equalized Jupp Heynckes ‘best Bundesliga record from the 1973/74 season, but much more importantly: with the double pack, he also crowned the Bulls’ top scorer. 95 goals in 159 competitive matches are a statement – and two more than Daniel Frahn achieved.
No “Timo Werner 2.0” possible
“The fact that I still have the goal record is even better. It fitted like a fist to the eye,” said Werner visibly happy at Sky. The goals in Leipzig must now shoot others. “We have to collect it collectively,” said Nagelsmann, for whom the change is “absolutely understandable”. Werner would not only leave a big gap as a player, but also as a person, “because he has the heart in the right place,” said Nagelsmann. But: “I’m not angry with him just because he chose another coach and another club.”
However, the departure will give him some headaches. “It is athletically ambitious, but we will manage that,” said the 32-year-old. For the games at the Champions League tournament in Lisbon from August 12, the current squad must be enough, only then a new top striker should appear. “We will and will have to get the reinforcements,” said Nagelsmann. However, it must also be financially feasible, he doesn’t believe in a “Timo Werner 2.0”.
Now, after the conciliatory end of the season with third place in the table, it’s on holiday for almost three weeks. On July 19, Nagelsmann will welcome his protégés to the training start and prepare for the quarter-finals in the premier class. The ambitions are high. Nagelsmann sees a “huge opportunity” to win the “most important cup in club football” in three games: “It won’t be any easier.” Not easy without Werner.
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