In a season of transition for RB Leipzig, head coach Ole Werner has found his new leaders—and they're stepping up in a big way. During an exclusive midweek interview with Bundesliga, Werner opened up about the players who are driving his team forward, singling out David Raum and Christoph Baumgartner for their growing influence both on and off the pitch.

When it came time to choose a new captain, Werner surprised many by handing the armband to David Raum. "David is a very communicative person, very energetic," the 38-year-old coach explained, highlighting the full-back's natural leadership qualities. Werner acknowledged the legacy of former captain Willi Orbán, who "had been a very good and successful captain here," but noted that Raum's fresh approach has been crucial during a period of change. "He continued to lead the team with his character and way of leading by example. That helped us in a time of upheaval. It's definitely a decisive factor in the guys doing so well this year."

Meanwhile, Christoph Baumgartner has emerged as a key figure in Leipzig's attack. The Austrian international has not only reached double-digit goals for the first time in his career but has also racked up 21 direct goal involvements—a testament to his growing influence. "He's someone who takes on a lot of responsibility both on and off the pitch and grows through that responsibility," Werner said of the former Hoffenheim attacker. "He was always an excellent Bundesliga player. I think he was maybe in the shadows of others in previous years. He's stepped out of that this season. It may be the effect of his different role, but it's also through what he's put into it. He's done it from the start, even in pre-season when it wasn't clear what his role would be."

Werner pointed to specific moments where Baumgartner's contributions made the difference. "I remember the game at Köln where he scored twice. I remember the home game against Heidenheim after the Bayern defeat to start the season. He was often at his best in moments where the team was struggling. That's a huge quality."

As RB Leipzig continues to build its identity under Werner, the emergence of leaders like Raum and Baumgartner signals a bright future—one where responsibility is shared, and every player is ready to step up when it matters most.