RB Leipzig's new Austrian Seiwald: What awaits him at the team evening

Bruneck (Italy) - Three weeks after his move from Red Bull Salzburg to RB Leipzig, Nicolas Seiwald (22) introduced himself in a press conference on Saturday afternoon, talked about his first impressions, the comparison to Konrad Laimer (26), and opportunities for improvement.

"The first impressions are good, I feel relatively comfortable. I already know a few faces, but I still have to get used to many others," said Nici, as he likes to be called, after the third day at the training camp in the Bruneck district of Reischach, which TAG24 is covering live.

The cooperation with Marco Rose (46), who was a coach at Salzburg from 2013 to 2019 in various positions but never trained Seiwald himself, already pleases the 22-year-old.

"He is a very good coach, you could see it from the outside and I also notice it in training now. He pushes the whole team and the individual players, constantly seeks individual conversations. I think that's good," he explained.

Seiwald is convinced that his new coach can "improve him in all areas" and does not allow any comparisons to his predecessor Konrad Laimer: "We are different types of players, I am slightly more defensive than him. I try to do my job and not replace him."

Although Salzburg and Leipzig play in the Red Bull system characterized by pressing and counter-attacking, Nici, signed for 20 million euros, has been able to identify a few differences. "In comparison to Salzburg, the tempo is a bit higher here, I still have to get used to that."

Nicolas Seiwald introduces himself at team evening: "Today I have to sing!"

During the training camp, which will last until next Friday, number 13 wants to show Rose what he is capable of. Because the quality in midfield - Xaver Schlager, Amadou Haidara (both 25), and Kevin Kampl (32) - was already high before his arrival.

The central midfielder self-critically acknowledged that he can still improve with the ball. "And also in terms of scoring points in attack." On the other hand, he considers his duel behavior, acceleration, and pressing to be his strengths.

Seiwald, who has gone through all of Salzburg's teams since Leipzig's founding in 2009, is already excited about the Bundesliga. "I am looking forward to the home games and the fans in the Red Bull Arena. Dortmund will be a highlight, I also heard about Cologne. And of course, the games against FC Bayern Munich."

He took over the apartment of his predecessor Laimer in the trade fair city, who moved to Munich after six years. His brother was with him in the city during the initial period, his girlfriend will join him in August, but will continue studying in Salzburg, where she can go to Erfurt for a semester abroad.

On Saturday evening, Seiwald and the other new signings - Christoph Baumgartner, Lois Openda (both 23), Benjamin Sesko (20), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (18), Xavi Simons, Fabio Carvalho (both 20), and Leopold Zingerle (29) - will first have their debut at the team evening. "Today I have to sing," Seiwald knows, who wants to motivate his new teammates to join in with a catchy tune.