In the chic Gohlis district of Leipzig, Jesse Marsch lives in an apartment building next to a man he seldom sees, hears even less and not only therefore helps the soccer coach to lead a comfortable life.

Especially on a professional level, Marsch owes a lot to his neighbors, without him this autumn would have been a lot more uncomfortable than it already was on some days.

We're talking about Christopher Nkunku, a striker whose goals are currently covering up some shortcomings in RB's game. Marsch calls Nkunku "Christo", just like the former artist, which is only fitting because on good days Nkunku is able to elevate his game to an art form. Then he scores goals with breathtaking grace, like against VfL Bochum when he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper. Nkunku can also hit quite purposefully, with the head or with the inside, no matter what.

This Tuesday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and at DAZN), his skills in the game at Paris Saint-Germain will be in greater demand than ever.

RB Leipzig is in dire straits in the Champions League after two defeats at the start against Manchester City and Bruges.

If it is not won again, the end would probably be inevitable.

But it's not because of Nkunku that RB started so weakly.

Goal participation on the assembly line

The 23-year-old attacker scored four times in the two games, only the former Frankfurt Sebastien Haller from Ajax Amsterdam has been more successful so far. In the wild start in Manchester (3: 6), Nkunku even scored three goals against City. They weren't enough to win, but Manchester's coach Pep Guardiola clicked his tongue later. This young man is a “great player”, said Guardiola, which can also be proven by the numbers.

Nkunku has 13 scorer points, i.e. goals and assists, in eleven competitive games this season. His achievements have attracted the attention of various major clubs. The entire keyboard of the elite was played last. That is not surprising, Nkunku's advisor is Pini Zahavi, who maintains the best contacts with the rich and super-rich and who drove many responsible parties, including those of FC Bayern, to the verge of nervous breakdown in contractual talks. The Leipzig decision-makers have little to fear in this regard. Nkunku's contract runs until summer 2024, and there is no exit clause according to reports.

Opponents Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be among those interested. However, a possible return campaign will be expensive. Nkunku has almost quadrupled its value since it came to Leipzig from Paris in 2019 for 13 million euros. Nkunku is considered the most valuable non-national player in the world and has been waiting in vain for an invitation to the French national team. "I was surprised that Christo was not nominated," said Marsch before the latest international series at the beginning of October.

In terms of sport, Nkunku has a difficult relationship with his homeland.

He switched to the Paris Youth Academy at the age of 13.

As an absolute promise, very fast and technically gifted.

In the Paris youth teams he was regularly among the best of the year.

Nkunku had to experience that painfully, but even outstanding skills do not automatically lead to a career at PSG.

Another game against Paris

As a boy from his own house, he had a difficult time in the bought-up world selection. There was talk of atmospheric tensions. Three years ago, the places on the offensive were taken to Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, and now Lionel Messi is also there. He did not get the working times that Nkunku wanted from then coach Thomas Tuchel. The same fate experienced many who, like Nkunku, had previously shone in the academy.

This is the fourth time that Nkunku has met his old club. PSG against RB Leipzig has developed into a permanent duel in the Champions League. For the first time, however, Nkunku has played the role of the Leipzig protagonist. His increase in form not only has to do with the fact that he plowed with a private trainer during the summer break and put on five kilos of muscle mass, a lot is also to be credited to Trainer Marsch. Under his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann, Nkunku was mainly used on the left.

Marsch, on the other hand, prefers to put the French in the offensive center, where Nkunku has all the freedom of a creative spirit.

Last week it became clear that coaches and players have a special relationship.

Then Nkunku left the training ground angry and frustrated. He did not follow Marsch's request to turn back.

A day later, the Leipzig trainer declared the matter over and over, they had quickly spoken out.

Marsch didn't have to travel a long way.

If necessary, ringing the neighbors' bell would have been enough.