Angelino soars at Leipzig after rebooting his career

BERLIN: Angelino has rebooted his career in the Bundesliga under Julian Nagelsmann to become RB Leipzig’s top-scorer, but he says a lack of trust under Pep Guardiola ‘killed’ his confidence at former club Manchester City.

Second-placed Leipzig host Moenchengladbach on Saturday ater clawing their way back into the Bundesliga title race to trail current leaders Bayern Munich by just two points.

Ater striker Timo Werner let Leipzig to join Chelsea in the summer, the 24-year-old Angelino has taken over as the club’s top scorer this season with eight goals and 11 assists from the flanks, either on the wing or at let-back.

“If someone believes in you so much, lets you play every week, you have to pay it back,” Angelino told magazine Kicker on working under Leipzig coach Nagelsmann.

“He gave my career a huge boost. Hopefully we will work together for a long time.”

Angelino produced a contender for Champions League goal of the season with a net-buster in December’s 3-2 home win against Manchester United in the group stages. He joined Leipzig from Man City in January last year and an initial 18-month loan deal became a permanent transfer a fortnight ago. He was only 16 when he joined City’s youth academy from Deportivo La Coruna, but was sent on numerous loan spells ater failing to make the grade.

Angelino opted to work under Nagelsmann ater failing to impress Guardiola, which he says “killed” his confidence.

“I was judged... and then I didn’t get another chance,” says Angelino, who rates his experience under Guardiola at City as “50:50”.

Leipzig have won their last four league games, but their title credentials will be tested in early April at home to Bayern should they manage to keep the pace until then. Nagelsmann speaks from experience. At the same stage of last season, Leipzig were just a point behind Bayern.

German League fixtures (1430GMT unless stated):

Saturday: Bayern Munich vs Cologne, Borussia Dortmund vs Arminia Bielefeld, Wolfsburg vs Hertha Berlin, Stutgart vs Schalke, RB Leipzig vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (1730) Sunday: Union Berlin vs Hoffenheim (1230), Mainz vs Augsburg (1430), Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg ( 1700)