Q&A

Leipzig’s lightning rod

Christopher Nkunku sits down with Champions Journal to discuss the RB Leipzig squad, playing in the Champions League and what his best position is

CJ Extra

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

Q&A

Leipzig’s lightning rod

Christopher Nkunku sits down with Champions Journal to discuss the RB Leipzig squad, playing in the Champions League and what his best position is

Text Link

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

How would you describe your style of play?

It’s hard to describe but the key is that I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I can be at the start of an action and at the end too; I try to show my technical range. My strength is that I try to make the right move at the right time to make the action progress. Sometimes it can be a move that is out of the ordinary and other times it can be a simple pass at the right time with the right foot. That’s what I try to rely on the most.

Last season was fantastic for you. How did you find it?

Personally, it was great for me; collectively, during the first half of the season, we struggled a lot. But we managed to get back up during the second half of the season and won the DFB-Pokal. It was a season I really enjoyed on the pitch – I discovered a position that suited me and I had an opportunity to work at it every match and try to progress.

Do you see yourself as a centre forward or a No10?

I try to be as efficient as possible. Sometimes I will strike and score, sometimes it will be an assist. The key is to be efficient and find the right move that is going to make a difference. Honestly, I get the same joy from assisting; giving a goal to a team-mate, seeing his joy and being thanked afterward is almost the same as seeing the stadium cheer because you scored. At the end of the day, whether you’re assisting or scoring, the pleasure is shared. A goal is way more important than an assist – but without an assist, there is no goal.

Nkunku scored in Leipzig's 3-2 win over Real Madrid

What can you tell us about this Leipzig squad?

We’re very young with huge potential. As a team we’re trying to put massive intensity into our games, be it on the offensive or defensive end. We want to achieve a great result come the end of the season and – why not? – win trophies.

Is showing consistency your biggest challenge after such a great season?

Exactly, that’s the toughest part. It’s about showing that it wasn’t just for a season, but that I can perform just as well in the following seasons. That’s what makes the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank amongst the best centre-forwards. They’re players who scored a number of goals one season and have always repeated this feat since.

The group stage isn’t over yet, but what’s the club’s ambition in this Champions League campaign?

The club’s ambition is to go as far as possible. It’s the club’s identity to do everything with intensity and it goes for the Champions League, too We’ll try to go as far as possible and give everything we can. It’s as simple as that. Playing in the knockout brings a different atmosphere, as points are no longer up for grabs. It becomes all about goals – that’s what gets you through to the next round. We also know that come the round of 16 only top teams remain, which means massive ties. A footballer gets excited by massive ties like these. They also reveal top players, as only top players get to play these types of games. So, yes, it’s exciting for a football player.

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