RB Leipzig continues to accelerate its impressive progress under manager Ole Werner. Their momentum was clearly visible on Matchday 8 when they secured their most significant victory of the season, dismantling Augsburg with an incredible six-goal attack.
The Dynamic Attacking Trio
The core of this offensive firepower was the attacking trident composed of Antonio Nusa, Rômulo, and Yan Diomande, who netted the first three goals, establishing a commanding four-goal lead for Leipzig by halftime.
This match marked Diomande’s first goal in the Bundesliga, a deserved payoff for his excellent performances in the season’s early weeks. Rômulo, the towering Brazilian forward in the middle of the trio, showcased his growing comfort in German football by scoring his third goal and contributing to his sixth goal involvement overall this term. Nusa also contributed his first goal of the campaign, ensuring the entire frontline had found the back of the net before the 22nd minute.
Baumgartner and Werner`s Satisfaction
Midfielder Christoph Baumgartner added the fourth goal just before the interval, marking his fifth goal of the season already. The Austrian is quickly approaching his best-ever Bundesliga scoring record, demonstrating how many Leipzig players have successfully stepped up their performance level this year.
Following the resounding victory, Werner was effusive in his praise for his squad:
“I am completely satisfied. No game is perfect, but today’s came close. Up until it went to 3-0, I believe it was a relatively level affair, although we had the more threatening chances. We implemented much of what we had hoped to beforehand.”
Statistical Improvement Since Matchday One
While Leipzig currently trails Bayern Munich by five points in the standings, discounting their opening day defeat to the reigning champions reduces that deficit to just two points. In the subsequent seven games, Leipzig has secured six wins and one draw, tallying 16 goals while conceding only three.
This hot streak represents a marked improvement over their start to the previous season. In the first seven games of the 2024/25 campaign, Leipzig secured 17 points (five wins, two draws) with 11 goals scored and two conceded. This season’s seven-game run has seen them achieve two more points and a better goal difference of +4.
The Rise of Assan Ouédraogo
A crucial factor in their dramatic post-Matchday 1 resurgence is the growing influence of highly-rated talent Assan Ouédraogo. He has already recorded two goals and two assists in five starts this season, including a goal and an assist for Rômulo in the massive win against Augsburg.
Ouédraogo is proving invaluable across the pitch, utilizing his height, tactical intelligence, and passing range. He is finally flourishing after an injury-plagued first campaign that limited him to just five competitive appearances in the 2024/25 season—a total he has nearly doubled already this term.
Defensive Solidity and Veteran Leadership
Leipzig’s Matchday 8 victory confirms that their unbeaten streak is not a fluke; they have truly hit form. Success relies not just on scoring, but also on a strong defense.
French youngster Castello Lukeba has anchored the defense, starting every game this campaign, and even scored during the final stages of the Augsburg rout. Despite the season-opening loss to Bayern, only three teams in the Bundesliga have conceded fewer than Leipzig`s nine goals so far this term.
Alongside Lukeba`s impressive youth, the team benefits from veteran stability. Goalkeeper Peter Gulácsi and defender Willi Orbán remain consistent cornerstones, while David Raum has seamlessly embraced the captaincy role.
While keeping pace with Bayern Munich’s perfect start remains a daunting challenge, Leipzig is undeniably the closest contender. Despite their strong position, Coach Werner remains grounded, refusing to be carried away by the league table.
“We are taking things game by game and are happy that we have the points on the board and that we are where we are,” Werner stated. “The standings are not particularly significant for us at this moment in time, though.”
After the disappointment of missing out on European qualification last season, the two-time DFB Cup winners have responded impressively, showing genuine character and ambition in this new campaign.
