Dayot Upamecano doesn't need any special incentive before a big game like RB Leipzig next Saturday (18:30 CET). "My motivation is the same in every game," explained the 23-year-old, who played for the coming opponents for four and a half years before moving to Bayern last summer. Nevertheless, the Frenchman is very much excited for the meeting with his ex-club: "After the game I can talk to my former teammates. I look forward to seeing them again - and beating them."
Quickly settled at FC Bayern
Upamecano scored his first goal for Bayern in the last game of 2021 against Wolfsburg.
Upamecano has been playing in Munich for a good seven months now - and it quickly became apparent he had no issues settling in. Since then, the central defender has played in 23 of a possible 29 competitive games at his new club: "Frankly, when you come to one of the best clubs in the world, you tell yourself the competition is tough – but I will fight. That was always my attitude, no matter where I went," said the defensive giant, and he drew a positive personal conclusion at this stage: "I got off to a good start, but the season is long. I will keep fighting to play as much as possible."
There could have been a few more appearances, but Upamecano was set back by a coronavirus infection at the beginning of the year. However, the defensive player has now recovered from this: "I feel very good again now, both on and off the field," confirmed Upamecano, and he promised to attack fully again after the international break: "It was good to have a break. It will do us good in preparation for Leipzig. We want to get the three points."
Still a lot to do in Munich
As good as things have been for him so far, the defender still has a long way to go: "I think I can still develop and learn a lot. I play for one of the best teams in the world. I'm proud of that. But I'm not at the limit yet. I fight for this shirt. I want to give the maximum."
Here are the most important facts and figures about the meeting with Leipzig:
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