"He texted me asking about tickets“

An RBL duo for Austria!

On Tuesday evening (9:00 PM CEST) Nicolas Seiwald and Christoph Baumgartner will play the Euro 2024's Round of 16 with Austria as "locals" in Leipzig.

• For whom is the game in the Red Bull Arena even more special than for them?
   
• Why did Dani Olmo get in touch with Nicolas Seiwald?
   
• What headline do Baumi and Nici want to read about themselves?
   

You are about to find the answers here.

You were group winners ahead of France and the Netherlands, now the Round of 16 will be played in your home stadium, the Red Bull Arena. Does it all seem like a dream these days?

• Nicolas Seiwald: “It feels great to return to Leipzig earlier than we had expected, of course. The plan was actually to be back for the preseason training. But the fact that we are already back here to play a Euro 2024 Round of 16 match in our second home is amazing. We are really looking forward to it.”
   
• Christoph Baumgartner: “Being able to play such a big game in our home stadium is something very special for us. My apartment is already full of friends and family and is currently serving as a place for them to sleep. Everyone wants to be there for the game. We hope that plenty of RB Leipzig fans will be in the stadium to support us from the stands.”

Is it an advantage that you already know the stadium?

• Nicolas Seiwald: “It's certainly not a disadvantage. We know our way around, we feel very comfortable here and 'Baumi' knows exactly where the goal is in the Red Bull Arena. That could help us against Turkey. (laughs)"
   
• Christoph Baumgartner: "I have to agree with that. I also read a few days ago that the best pitch in the Bundesliga is in our stadium. So everything seems to be set for a great football festival."
   

With Ralf Rangnick there is another protagonist in your ranks who has a shared history with RB Leipzig. How does he view the game in Leipzig?

• Christoph Baumgartner: “This is a very special game for Ralf – maybe even a little more so than for us. He told us about how the club played in the Oberliga (5th Division) at one point. Nowadays, we have the best conditions here in Leipzig that you can imagine as a footballer. A state of the art stadium and amazing training facilities.
  
  The fact that Leipzig is now one of the host cities for a Euros' Round of 16 match makes Ralf very proud and happy. We want to win the game for him as well and give us all a moment to remember in this great stadium.”

What is the secret of your success under Ralf Rangnick?

• Nicolas Seiwald: “Ralf brought with him a clear concept of how he wanted us to play and also has the right players in the Austrian squad to implement his football plan. We have internalized his philosophy and know what he pays most attention to. We have also been able to get used to playing under him in recent years. The results of this can be seen already.”
   

During your matches in Berlin, the capital was a red-white-red party zone. Have you followed up on how the Euro 2024 is being celebrated in Austria and the rest of Europe?

• Christoph Baumgartner: “It's absolutely insane what is going on at the moment. We also noticed the euphoria during the last EURO. But this time it feels different. The entire country can't wait for kickoff, you can tell by what is going on in the fan zones and in the stadium, it is truly impressive. 
  
  We can also expect great support in Leipzig. The Turkish fans will also create a great atmosphere. We are really excited about this game, it will be a football festival. Of course we hope for the result to favor us in the end, because the enthusiasm and joy in Austria will only grow.”

How do you rate Turkey as an opponent?

• Christoph Baumgartner: “An emotional opponent. They can rely on the support pouring from the stands. They also have great individual talents in their team. In the end, it will depend on which team can better control the emotions that arise in a game like this one. 
  
  I'm confident in us. If we play like we've been playing for the last few weeks and months, then we'll go through."
   

How are you following the Euro 2024?

• Nicolas Seiwald: "In our team concentration in Berlin we have set up our own little fan zone, with a big screen and seats. When we are not training or playing, we usually watch the games as a whole team. Of course we are interested in what the other countries and our teammates are doing. We are in contact with the other guys from RB Leipzig and write to each other after the games. 
  
  I just received a special message from Dani Olmo. He asked me about tickets for our game against Turkey, as his family is currently in Leipzig."
   

What has been your personal moment of the EURO so far?

• Nicolas Seiwald: “The final whistle of our last group match against the Netherlands (3:2). Our teammate, Andi Weimann, sprinted up to me in the 95th minute to tell me that the France vs. Poland match was 1:1. It dawned on us that, if things stood as they did, we would finish top of the group. That wasn't precisely what we expected, being in a group with France and the Netherlands after all.”
   
• Christoph Baumgartner: “For me, it was my goal against Poland. Scoring always feels special, particularly at a EURO. That game was extremely important for us, it was a draw for a long time. It felt amazing to score that goal. Celebrating with the Austrian fans afterwards and singing our song ‘I am from Austria’ – it's priceless, those moments stay with you forever.”
   

What headline would you like to read during this European Championship?

• Christoph Baumgartner: “If there was a headline somewhere saying 'Austria challenges Germany in the final in Berlin', then...”
   

... Dani Olmo probably wouldn't like that.

• Christoph Baumgartner: “True. In any case, all we have in our minds is the game against Turkey anyway.”

Good luck to you both!
 

What else do Baumi and Nici have to share? 

You can find out before the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Austria and Turkey on our social channels Instagram, Twitter or WhatsApp.

Was euch Baumi und Nici noch zu sagen haben? 

Das erfahrt ihr vor dem EM-Achtelfinale zwischen Österreich und der Türkei auf unseren Sozialen Kanälen Instagram, Twitter oder WhatsApp.