RB Leipzig's new captain David Raum is calling for his team to regain a leading role in the Bundesliga. Another weak performance like the one in the previous season, when they missed out on the international starting places for the first time, is unacceptable. "It was an up and down season, which is not worthy of a top team. But now we have a new team and a new coaching team. We have to return to our old role as a top team and get ourselves back to where we belong," the international told the football magazine "Kicker" (Thursday).
"Of course the result counts"
Ahead of the opening match at FC Bayern Munich on Friday (8.30pm), however, the Saxons do not really know how to assess their performance after mixed results in test matches. "It's a good yardstick for us to see where we stand. We are coming off a mixed season. How you present yourself in a game like this is important. Of course the result counts, but it's also important for how you feel," said Raum.
Raum captains RB for the first time
The season opener at the German record champions is a special game for the left-back. He will lead the RB team as captain for the first time. "When the coach announced last week that I would be captain of this team this year, I couldn't get the grin off my face all day," said the 27-year-old, who is taking responsibility for himself: "As captain, I see it as my responsibility to make sure that the team spirit is right. It's important to be honest with each other on and off the pitch, then the tone can be a bit rougher from time to time."
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