Esteve hopes for Champions League debut and Haaland reunion

RB Leipzig defender Maxime Esteve has told Sky Sports he wants to make his debut in the UEFA Champions League, Europe's top club football competition, and that facing Manchester City is a special prospect for him. Last year the 24-year-old Frenchman, then at Burnley, put the ball into his own net twice at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.

The difficult game against City

Esteve moved from Burnley to Leipzig in the summer, and he has been on the bench for the team's first two Champions League games. He says that as a youngster at Montpellier he would have given anything for such a situation, and that playing for a Champions League club was always a dream.

He stresses that the second own goal was especially unlucky. Burnley manager Scott Parker highlighted his good work after the match, telling him in a Monday meeting that the incident was nothing serious.

On Haaland

Esteve regards Erling Haaland, City's striker, as the best striker he has faced and expects him to remain so for years. He cites Haaland's power, speed and heading. He says he must stay fully focused throughout, because Haaland can score in a second.

Coaches and settling in

Esteve says he studies opposing strikers' speed on video, as it affects how high he sets the defensive line. At Burnley he was coached by Vincent Kompany, now Bayern Munich's manager, and at Leipzig by Martin Demichelis. He compares the two former City defenders on energy, professionalism and perfectionism.

Esteve says he is adjusting to Leipzig without difficulty, although demands are higher after Burnley's relegation. He would like to play more but says he is patient and hopes to stay at the club for a long time.