A progression against Real Madrid and the European Championship title with the Netherlands are Xavi Simons' soccer dreams this season. The 20-year-old from RB Leipzig spoke at length in "Kicker" about his situation at the German cup winners and his ambitions for the Champions League round of 16 second leg in Madrid. "We have to get out on the pitch and enjoy playing in the stadium. To all those who have already written us off, I say: Nothing is impossible," said the Dutch international.
Leipzig lost the first meeting 1-0, although they were not necessarily the worse team in mid-February. Simons therefore likes to remember positive things. "My very first stadium experience at Camp Nou was when Barça beat Real 5-0," said the attacking player. It was probably the "best game I've ever seen in a stadium."
However, he also has unpleasant memories of Madrid and the top flight. Simons traveled to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with Paris Saint-Germain in March 2022 with a 1-0 lead, PSG even took the lead. But then Real turned the game around with three goals and went on to win the title. "Bernabeu and Champions League, that's special," said Simons.
PSG still owns the young star, and his loan to Leipzig could come to an end in the summer as planned. Simons avoids clear words in this case. It is not yet the time to think about next year. "After the season, all parties will talk and discuss what happens next," said the eleven-time international. With the expected departure of Kylian Mbappé, Paris is facing a shake-up in which Simons could play an important role.
Before that, he wants to achieve great things with the Netherlands at the European Championships. "Of course I believe we have a good team and can win the title. But we're not the only ones," said Simons. He and Oranje will face France in Group D on June 21 in Leipzig. The same should apply to the European Championship as to his career. And Simons has big plans for his career: "The sky is the limit, there is no limit. Anything is possible, but it only happens step by step."
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