Leipzig coach defends Xavi Simons after comments from Koeman, among others | Football

Twenty-year-old Simons now has thirteen international matches, but has not yet managed to make an impression in the Orange shirt. The creative was once again unable to impress as a starter in the friendly match against Scotland (4-0) last Friday.

Simons received criticism from the outside world afterwards. Koeman also acknowledged that the attacking midfielder lost a lot of ball. “Xavi is quite self-critical and also says that he lost the ball too often. In your own half you always have to think about keeping possession of the ball. That cannot happen in those places. I can expect him to develop in that regard.”

Rose will come to the rescue for Simons on Friday. “I can only advise the Netherlands to try to place Xavi in ​​a role where he can show his obvious qualities. I have been in contact with Xavi. My advice was to listen to the national coach and accept things. But we should also see things a little differently in Leipzig.”

Simons is having a strong season in Leipzig. The loanee from Paris Saint-Germain has scored nine goals and thirteen assists in 36 games in all competitions. Partly due to the performance of the former PSV player, the club is fifth in the Bundesliga.

Yet Rose also knows that Simons can still improve. “He knows that himself. I think Xavi is the last who is not ready for that. He is never satisfied, he always wants more. He is a really good boy. Sometimes something takes time. The fans and media in the Netherlands have to show some patience with such a fantastic player.”

Leipzig will play a home match against relegation candidate FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Rose’s team is one point behind number four Borussia Dortmund. The best four teams in the Bundesliga are guaranteed a place in the group stage of the Champions League at the end of the season.