Nicolas Seiwald has become a cornerstone for RB Leipzig this season, proving himself to be one of the most dependable midfielders on the squad under coach Ole Werner. The 24-year-old Austrian has consistently delivered strong performances in the defensive midfield, starting in six of his seven league appearances. His impact is so meaningful that he’s currently leading the entire Bundesliga in one crucial defensive metric: interceptions. With a remarkable 21 balls won back, Seiwald stands out as the league’s top disruptor.
“I knew I was intercepting a good number of balls, but to be the league leader in that category is pretty awesome,” Seiwald admitted. It’s a great validation of my efforts and performance. of course, my goal is to keep this up.
Beyond his ball-winning prowess, Seiwald also ranks among Leipzig’s best in tackle success rate, boasting an notable 68.8 percent, and covers significant ground, averaging 11.75 kilometers per 90 minutes.
Werner Praises Seiwald’s Grit, Demands More Growth
Coach Ole Werner has taken notice of his midfielder’s development, but he also sees room for further enhancement. Nici is incredibly strong in his running and tackling. He’s willing to put his body on the line for the team and has also improved his play with the ball at his feet,
Werner stated. He’s not at the end of his development curve, but he provides us with crucial stability through these fundamental strengths and his defensive mindset.
This defensive solidity is especially valuable for Leipzig, especially in a team that features one or two free spirits,
as Werner puts it.
Seiwald also commands significant respect from his teammates. Captain Willi Orban highlighted his often-underappreciated contributions: What he does often goes unnoticed, but it’s incredibly important because he does a lot of the dirty work.
Seiwald himself embraces this role: For me, it’s about driving the team forward. I’m not the loudest player, but I try to motivate my teammates through my passion and effort.
Even with the return of Xaver Schlager from injury, Seiwald’s starting position appears secure. Schlager himself acknowledged Seiwald’s impact: Nici works incredibly hard every single day. He has a fantastic mentality and a great attitude.
Schlager is not currently considered a contender for Seiwald’s starting spot.
After an initial challenging period, Seiwald has firmly established himself at RB Leipzig. he has become a stable presence in the midfield and a reliable engine driving Ole Werner’s tactical approach.
