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Soccer

Bundesliga

RB Leipzig's Timo Werner turns to psychologist for boo treatment

The fairytale for the Bundesliga new boys is far from over but during defeat to bottom side Ingolstadt some opposing fans booed the top scorer for diving in the previous game.Tenerife vs Getafe: Playoff Final

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Leipzig's forward Timo Werner and Schalke's goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 in Leipzig, eastern Germany on December 3, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / J
JENS SCHLUTERAFP

Turning to the off-the-field expert

RB Leipzig's top-scorer Timo Werner, 20, has been working with the club's psychologist after the striker was booed during last weekend's shock Bundesliga defeat for diving in a previous game.

Leipzig lost their status as German league leaders to Bayern Munich on Saturday after a shock 1-0 defeat at Ingolstadt, who had started the game bottom of the league. Werner endured an uncomfortable afternoon during the match in Bavaria and was whistled and jeered by Ingolstadt fans whenever he had the ball. He was eventually substituted on 70 minutes.

Referee Markus Schmidt shows Leipzig's German striker Timo Werner the yellow card during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Ingolstadt 04.
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Referee Markus Schmidt shows Leipzig's German striker Timo Werner the yellow card during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Ingolstadt 04.GUENTER SCHIFFMANNAFP

Rare honesty from a coach

It was the youngster's first appearance since Leipzig's sports director Ralph Rangnick admitted the Germany Under-21 international had dived to win an early penalty in their 2-1 win over Schalke on December 3.

Leipzig are enjoying a stellar first season in Germany's top flight and are currently second only to Bayern on goal difference having spent the previous three weeks top of the table. They host third-placed Hertha Berlin in Saturday's key clash before their daunting away match to Bayern at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday in their final league match of 2016.

Coach Ralph Hasenhuettl of RB Leipzig.
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Coach Ralph Hasenhuettl of RB Leipzig.Armin WeigelEFE

An important cog in the Red Bull winning machine

Werner's eight league goals have been a key factor in Leipzig enjoying a record 13-match unbeaten run at the start of their first Bundesliga season before defeat at Ingolstadt. Coach Ralph Hasenhuettl needs his star forward fit to face Hertha, then Bayern in the space of five days and Werner has been helped by the club's psychologist Sascha Lense.

'We're also working with Timo psychologically,' Hasenhuettl told reporters. 'The situation in Ingolstadt was certainly something new for him, but it was an experience he had to go through.'

Werner said he has just one wish from Saturday's next match.

'Three points against Hertha,' he said. 'Then we'll see what awaits us.'