Christoph Baumgartner exclusive

bundesliga.com: Last season Leipzig finished seventh and failed to qualify for Europe for the first time since their promotion to the Bundesliga. What are your aims for the new season?

Christoph Baumgartner: "I believe we have quite a bit to make up for. Last season was not satisfactory for the whole club. We have to be clear about that. There was a major overhaul this year with a new coaching staff and new players, so I believe we are on a good path. We want to attack at the top again, be among the best, and qualify for the Champions League. As for me personally, I want to score goals, create goals, but above all, lead from the front and give the team lots of energy."

Watch: The best of Christoph Baumgartner

bundesliga.com: How achievable is the goal of Champions League qualification?

Baumgartner: "You really have to perform very, very well to be among the top in the Bundesliga. If you have one or two weak phases, like we did last year, you’ll quickly be out of the running as the quality is high and the matches are generally tight. If you’re not at your maximum, you will miss out."

bundesliga.com: Leipzig made lots of new signings this summer. How do you rate the likes of Johan Bakayoko, who scored the winning goal against Mainz, and Rômulo Cardoso? 

Baumgartner: "They bring a lot to the table and have great quality. We now play more with out-and-out wingers, which we didn’t really have in our squad before. Specifically with Bakka [Bakayoko], and Yan Diomande, we’ve gained players with speed and strong one-on-one ability, with Antonio Nusa as well. We’re very well positioned there and have strengthened the attack further with Rômulo and Conrad Harder. We have a lot of quality in attack now."

bundesliga.com: What are your impressions of the new Leipzig coach, Ole Werner?

Baumgartner: "Possession is very important to him. That’s what he’s trying to bring to our team, and he does it very well. It wasn’t easy, because we had a major squad overhaul. He had to manage many things, including off the pitch. He handled all of that very well. Now, as a team, we are on a good path to coming together. That will certainly still take some time. Week by week, we are taking big steps forward, and it’s enjoyable to work with him."

bundesliga.com: Leipzig face Cologne, who are unbeaten, on Matchday 4. What are your thoughts ahead of the clash?

Baumgartner: "We’re really looking forward to it. Cologne have made a great start. They also showed in Wolfsburg that they never give up. I think it was around the 104th minute when they scored — that shows the character they have in the team. We also have really strong character in our squad. We hold our ground. We need to be at least on the same energy level as Cologne. I do believe we have more quality."

Watch: Baumgartner scores as Leipzig beat Heidenheim 2-0 on Matchday 2

bundesliga.com: At the end of the season you might get the chance to represent Austria at a World Cup. That must be an exciting prospect?

Baumgartner: "Yes, it's certainly one of the biggest goals of my career so far. I’ve had the chance to play in the European Championship twice, which is very special. But I think a World Cup is on another level. You can see what’s happening in Austria, how people are supporting us. We want to keep winning matches in October and November and then hopefully we can celebrate qualifying for the World Cup."

bundesliga.com: The last summer was a special one for you too, as you got married. Congratulations! Your wife, Sandrine, is a former footballer - does that help you?

Baumgartner: "Yes, it's very important for me. She knows exactly what’s going on with me, and what’s on my mind. If I ever go through a difficult phase — and I’d say the first two years here weren’t perfect and not exactly as I imagined — having someone there to support you, to be by your side, is invaluable. I’m very, very happy to have her. She really is my partner for life, and I’m extremely happy to have her."

bundesliga.com: We've heard you are a keen golfer too, often playing with Xaver Schlager, David Raum and Lukas Klostermann. Who is the most likely to make the Ryder Cup?

Baumgartner: "I’d say we’re all at a similar level. The only one a bit ahead of us is Timo Werner. He has a bit more experience and is a step above us all. I really enjoy golf though, as it really helps me switch off from football. You need full focus on the little ball and you can’t think about anything else."

bundesliga.com: You've also been involved in charitable activity, with an initiative helping young women in Uganda. How did that come about?

Baumgartner: "It became clear quite early on, when I entered professional football, that I wanted to do something to help, because we are privileged to earn a lot of money and have the ability to raise awareness about injustices. Through a friend I got involved in Uganda and saw how we could make a difference there.

"We decided to support young women who become pregnant at an early age. We’ve set up quite a lot, including a school for their children, because the children often accompany their mothers during their education. The children also receive an education and meals — often, sadly, the only meal of the day. I’m proud of what we’ve established, and this is something I want to continue beyond football, because, as I said, we have the opportunity to help, and I just want to do that."

bundesliga.com: Both of your parents played football. Was it your dream from childhood to play in the Bundesliga?

Baumgartner: "When you’re very small, you’re just playing football and not thinking about it. At some point, in your teenage years, you start to realise you might be better than the others you’re playing against, and naturally you begin to dream. I thought about what other Austrians had achieved, and David Alaba, for example, was a natural role model.

"The Bundesliga has always been huge in Austria due to the proximity to Germany. It’s also simply one of the best leagues in the world. You can see week after week how full the stadiums are and what the fans are like. I think there is an enormous amount of quality in the Bundesliga, particularly with all the young, very talented players, and it’s a lot of fun to play in the league."