Assan Ouédraogo Shines for RB Leipzig and the German National Team

Assan Ouédraogo’s season with RB Leipzig has exceeded all expectations. The 19-year-old midfielder made a remarkable debut for the German national team, scoring just two minutes into the match at his home ground, the Red Bull Arena. Shortly after, he returned to the arena for a Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen, where he scored a stunning goal that secured a 1-0 victory for his team.

Despite the significance of the goal, Ouédraogo humbly stated that it was not the best of his career. Reflecting on his time in the DFB youth ranks during a post-match interview, he shared, “I’ve scored two better ones: one in the U-19 European Championship with a drop kick into the corner, and another 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, which included two goals, two wins, and two clean sheets, saying, “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Ouédraogo’s remarkable journey aligns perfectly with the narrative of RB Leipzig this season. Newly appointed head coach Ole Werner faced challenges early on, particularly after a heavy 6-0 defeat to FC Bayern Munich in the opening match. Meanwhile, Christoph Baumgartner, who assisted Leipzig’s second goal, has been outstanding for the team despite previous rumors of transfer.

Both Baumgartner and Werner praised Ouédraogo’s recent surge in form during their respective post-match discussions. Baumgartner noted, “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 is fit. That goal was an expression of pure quality.”

Werner added, “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.”