Assan Ouédraogo Shines in Remarkable Season with RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo is enjoying an exceptional season, surpassing all expectations. The 19-year-old made an impressive debut for the German national team, scoring just two minutes into the match, held at his home ground, the Red Bull Arena. He returned to club duty by netting a stunning game-winning goal in last night’s Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen.

Interestingly, Ouédraogo downplayed the significance of his latest goal, stating in his post-match interview that it was not his finest moment. Reflecting on his earlier experiences in the DFB youth ranks, he noted, “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 past week: “It’s been a perfect week. Two goals. Two wins. Two clean sheets. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Ouédraogo’s resurgence aligns with the narrative of RB Leipzig this season, especially following the appointment of head coach Ole Werner. Initially, Werner faced challenges after a 6-0 defeat to FC Bayern Munich, but he has since seen a turnaround in the team’s performance.

Meanwhile, Christoph Baumgartner, who provided an assist for Leipzig’s second goal, praised Ouédraogo’s development, 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.”

Head coach Werner also expressed his delight in working with young talents like Ouédraogo, remarking, “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.”