2025 review – Bayern drama, Brazil tour and new stars

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RB Leipzig

·26 December 2025

2025 review – Bayern drama, Brazil tour and new stars

From an RBL perspective, 2025 is drawing to a successful close. After a strong first half of the Bundesliga season, the Red Bulls go into the winter break sitting in a Champions League place – one they’ll be looking to defend in the new year.

For now, though, it’s time for a breather – and a look back at the past 12 months. 2025 delivered plenty of highlights for RBL. Here’s part one of our end-of-year review.

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3rd May: Yussi’s farewell goal

The 2024/25 season didn’t quite unfold as hoped from an RBL point of view. Matchday 32 did, however, bring a sporting and emotional highlight: the home game against FC Bayern München. After the Red Bulls had raced into a 2-0 lead, Bayern turned the game around and looked set to take all three points deep into stoppage time. Then Yussuf Poulsen struck just before the final whistle to make it 3-3, pulling the plug on a Bayern title party at the Red Bull Arena.

For Yussi, it was his final goal in an RBL shirt. Shortly afterwards, the club’s record appearance-maker (425 games) brought his 12-year spell in Leipzig to an end as he moved on to Hamburg. “Believing that we could come back after conceding three goals is a really positive sign for everyone,” Yussi reflected afterwards – putting the team first, just as we’ve always known him to do.

23rd-30th May: Brazil tour

Shortly after the end of the 2024/25 season, RBL once again made an international statement. Following the USA tour in 2024, this time the destination was Brazil. The Red Bulls met fans and rounded off the successful trip with a 2-0 friendly win over Santos FC.

“Brazil is one of the most important markets worldwide for both the DFL and our partners Red Bull and Puma,” explained RBL CBO Johann Plenge when outlining the significance of the tour. “That’s why we see ourselves not only as ambassadors for Leipzig, but for the entire Bundesliga – and once again take on responsibility here.”

9th July: Ole Werner appointed head coach

At the start of July, RBL finalised a key appointment for the new season: Ole Werner was named as the club’s new head coach. The 37-year-old arrived from SV Werder Bremen and signed a contract through to 2027. His task was clear – to put RBL back on track – and he did so with flying colours.

Managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer welcomed the arrival of a “young, up-and-coming and extremely ambitious” coach, adding: “We’re convinced he’s ready for the next step.”

Ole himself said: “RB Leipzig stands for a brave, attacking style of play with a clear identity, as well as professional and ambitious thinking. The club has big goals and high standards – that’s exactly what convinced me.”

16th July: Hat-trick of transfers

A week after the coaching appointment, things were particularly busy at the RBL offices. In the space of a single day, the club unveiled three new attacking signings: Johan Bakayoko, Yan Diomande and Andrija Maksimovic.

While Andrija has been eased gradually into Bundesliga football, Johan and Yan have quickly become key figures. Speedy dribbler Yan, in particular, repeatedly caught the eye during the first half of the season. “He’s developing at an incredible pace. The fans – and we as a club – are really impressed with his performances,” Marcel Schäfer said recently.

30th August: Rômulo’s dream goal

Another summer signing made headlines early in the campaign. Rômulo, following in the footsteps of star forwards Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda, produced a moment of magic on matchday 2 against Heidenheim. Latching onto a low cross from Ridle Baku, he flicked the ball into the net with his heel to make it 2-0. “I had to improvise there – that was the Brazilian way,” he smiled afterwards.

The win was an important response after a heavy opening-day defeat away to Bayern. “When you take a 6-0 beating on matchday 1, it’s crucial to shake it off and show a different side of ourselves. And that’s exactly what we did,” said David Raum. The result marked the start of an eight-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.