Bodrum FK
Ç. Rizespor
Esenler Erokspor
Keçiörengücü
Not. Forest
Crystal Palace
Valencia
Las Palmas
Hellas Verona
Monza
David Raum will likely remember this season’s home game against Crvena zvezda for many years to come. The full-back hit home his first Champions League goal to open the scoring for RBL in the 3-1 win at the Red Bull Arena, later providing Xavi with an assist for the home side’s second of the game.
The 25-year-old has dreamt of one day playing Champions League football ever since he was a boy. “Every single time I hear the anthem playing, I get goosebumps,” David explained in an exclusive interview with RB Leipzig in September.
Two months later, the left-footed defender has heard the iconic anthem three more times and has now made eleven Champions League appearances during his two years at RB Leipzig. The Germany international has been on top form so far this season: David has scored once in three UCL games and, in addition to the previously mentioned Xavi goal, also assisted Mo Simakan against Young Boys for the club’s first Champions League goal of the season.
In the pre-match press conference, David spoke about his expectations for the upcoming fixture in Belgrade, his second season at RB Leipzig, and dealing with adversity.
David Raum on…
…the match in Belgrade
- “It’s a unique stadium which I’ve only seen before in videos. It was impressive just walking through the empty tunnel. It will be a totally different story tomorrow in front of the fans.”
…the previous meeting
- “We put in a good performance in Leipzig and deserved the win. Our ambition as RB Leipzig is to progress to the next round. We are expecting to face a different atmosphere and team here in Belgrade. But when we convert the atmosphere present in the stadium into energy, then we can go one step further and throw everything at it.”
We want to make an important step towards the round of 16.
David Raum on…
…working through both defeats
- “On the whole, we’re obviously disappointed with the last few results, they weren’t to our standard. We’re spending a lot of time together and travel lots as a team, which means that we have a lot of opportunity to talk to each other and work things through together. The nice thing is that we get the chance tomorrow to straightaway turn things around and make an important step towards the round of 16 – and that’s precisely our goal.”
…his second year at RB Leipzig
- “As everyone knows, I experienced some initial difficulties in my first year. Now, I took part in the full pre-season with the team, got stuck in, and grew another year older. The fact that we’ve brought a lot of young and enthusiastic players into the team means that I’ve taken on a new role. I enjoy leading the way and bring passion onto the pitch, so I’m pleased that I can help the team with my performances.”
