Assan Ouédraogo’s Remarkable Rise with RB Leipzig

omidbasir- Assan Ouédraogo’s season at RB Leipzig is exceeding all expectations. The 19-year-old midfielder made a striking debut for the German national team, scoring just two minutes into the match, held at his Bundesliga home ground.

In his return to the Red Bull Arena for a Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen, Ouédraogo delivered an impressive performance, netting the game-winning goal that secured a 1-0 victory for his team. However, he modestly noted that this goal was not the best of his career.

Reflecting on his past experiences in the DFB youth ranks during his post-match interview, Ouédraogo stated, “I’ve scored two better ones. One in the U-19 European Championship with a drop kick into the corner and one in the U-15 where I scored directly off the kickoff. This one was a bit lucky. I try to play my game and things are certainly going well at the moment, but I’m having some luck and will take that too.”

He further expressed his satisfaction with the week’s accomplishments, saying, “It’s been a perfect week. Two goals. Two wins. Two clean sheets. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Ouédraogo’s journey mirrors the narrative of RB Leipzig this season. Newly appointed head coach Ole Werner initially faced challenges, particularly following a significant 6-0 defeat to FC Bayern Munich in the opening match. However, the team has seen a transformation, with players like Christoph Baumgartner, who assisted in Leipzig’s second goal, contributing significantly.

Baumgartner commended Ouédraogo’s recent form, stating, “I’m very happy for him because he had a difficult time in his first year. He’s currently on a high, inspired by the national team and his goals. But that’s no coincidence. He’s a great guy who works very hard, who now believes in himself and who is fit. That goal was an expression of pure quality.”

Werner also praised Ouédraogo, noting, “It’s special to work with young players who perform like this. One observes them getting better every day in training and matches. That brings a lot of joy, and Assan has developed superbly so far. He’s certainly not near the top of his potential yet.”