Xavi Simons praised for RB Leipzig brace in triumphant return

Leipzig's coach, Marco Rose, was effusive in his praise for the Dutch midfielder. "We know that Xavi is a difference-maker," Rose said post-match. "I said to him right after the game: 'Great job'. And I don't mean today's game, but the way he came back from his injury.

"The way he worked after his injury and the way he came back, it's extraordinary after three months."

Simons made his mark early, attempting a through ball in just the second minute, although it was intercepted. However, his impact was undeniable when he scored his first goal of the match in the 23rd minute, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner after a clever flick from Lois Openda.

His second came shortly after the equalizer from Werder Bremen's Mitchell Weiser, with a deflected shot from outside the box to make it 2-1.

The second half saw Leipzig extend their lead. Benjamin Sesko unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike into the top right corner, pushing the score to 3-1. Despite a VAR review denying Werder Bremen a penalty in the 54th minute, Leipzig continued to dominate.

The game's highlight was perhaps Christoph Baumgartner's beautifully curled effort in the 90th minute, sealing the game at 4-1.

Werder Bremen managed a late consolation through former Leipzig player Oliver Burke, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to make it 4-2.

Simons has now scored five goals in 12 appearances for Leipzig across all competitions this season, proving his value to the team. His performance not only highlighted his recovery but also Leipzig's ambitions for the season.

This match was a significant moment for RB Leipzig, not just for the result but for the return of key players like Simons and David Raum, both of whom have been pivotal in shaping the team's fortunes. The victory over an in-form Werder Bremen team underlined Leipzig's potential to challenge for honours in 2025.

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