RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner reveals plan to replace suspended Raum

With David Raum suspended, RB Leipzig coach Ole Werner has backed Max Finkgräfe to step in at left back against Wolfsburg.

Since joining RB Leipzig from 1. FC Köln last summer, Max Finkgräfe has been limited to just 46 minutes of football across five appearances and has yet to start a game. But that’s about to change.

As Leipzig coach Ole Werner revealed at a press conference on Friday, the 21-year-old will be handed a rare start at left-back against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, with suspended captain David Raum unavailable.

“David is our captain, an absolute leader and one of our key performers. He naturally gives us an incredible amount of energy and quality, not least when it comes to set pieces,” Werner explained.

“But we also have other good players at the back, and Max is one of them. It’s true that he hasn’t played much, but that’s mainly down to David having a very, very strong season.

“Even so, Max has continued to develop step by step in training and in every session. He’s simply a very important and valuable part of the squad. He gives 100 percent in every training session, and we have complete trust in him.

“As unfortunate as it is that David isn’t available, I’m just as happy that Max now gets his chance. And I’m convinced he’ll do a good job,” concluded the RB Leipzig boss.

The game between Leipzig and Wolfsburg kicks off at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday at 17:30 CET.