"Kimmich will message first“ – Raum und Andrich ahead of #RBLB04

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RB Leipzig

·19 December 2025

"Kimmich will message first“ – Raum und Andrich ahead of #RBLB04

The prime-time fixture between RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen will see a clash of two top-class leaders.

In our captain David Raum and Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, Saturday night won't just see the meeting of two mentality monsters, but also a pair of great friends. Before they walk out onto the pitch to face off on matchday 15, the captains looked ahead to the game over a video call.

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Counter-attacks vs. possession play

How are you approaching this prime-time fixture, which is also a direct battle for those European spots? If RB Leipzig come out on top, the gap will grow to six points. If Bayer 04 win away, they will draw level in the table.

David Raum:

"Of course, we want to avoid that. It would be an awful feeling to head into the winter break on a loss. For Leverkusen, it's a great opportunity; they have a lot to gain, but we want to keep our place, and after the game in Berlin, we're determined to come out with a response. We're going to do everything we can to make it happen."

Robert Andrich:

"We have to produce a top-drawer performance; it's going to be a tough task and we need to work hard. We want to give it our all before the short winter break and make sure we don't let Leipzig get into dangerous counterattacking positions. At the same time, we definitely want to make our mark on the game."

What do you see yourself doing better than the opposition right now?

David Raum:

"I think right now, we're pretty similarly set up. Both teams are good on the ball and have really talented individual players. Overall, I think we are a bit more compact and defensively stable."

Robert Andrich turns to David Raum: "You know we've only conceded three more goals than you, right?" David grins: "I'm taking the Champions League into account." (Leverkusen lost 7-2 to PSG on matchday 3 of the competition).

Robert Andrich:

"It's definitely true that both teams have a clear idea of how they want to play. We're very comfortable in possession, we move the ball around well and are confident in our positional play. Leipzig like to win the ball and attack quickly in transition."

Friendship put to the test

You're both players who can be pretty vocal on the pitch. How do you deal with that when coming up against one another?

Robert Andrich:

"I think if we both rushed over to the referee, we'd have to stifle our laughter. But of course, we both want to win with our team when we're out there on the pitch. The friendship is put to the side for the 90 minutes."

David Raum:

"I've already picked up four yellow cards, I'll be keeping my mouth shut! (laughs) The coin toss alone could be entertaining; then we get down to business.I think there's a good vibe between us, as we've followed similar paths and we've both worked really hard to get to where we are. That's why have so much respect for each other and try to push our own people forward rather than getting involved with each other. Unless, of course, the other one completely loses their temper."

Which attributes do you most admire about each other on the pitch?

David Raum:

"Rob brings such a sense of calm to the game and has the mentality to approach these kinds of games in the right way. He's a leader on the pitch, he commands his team. And, something that a lot of people underestimate: he doesn't just have this incredible mentality, but also outstanding quality on the ball. We cannot afford to let him shoot."

Robert Andrich:

"You know what you're going to get with David, and I mean that in a very positive sense. His mentality inspires the lads. The captain's armband suits him perfectly. And then, of course, there's his quality: his crosses are incredibly difficult to defend against. He drives the team forward relentlessly."

Hidden talents & the WhatsApp group

Does the other one have any secret talents that the world doesn't know about?

David Raum:

"Rob can do a fantastic sauna infusion. With the towel-waving technique and everything - he does it incredibly well."

Robert Andrich:

"David has an incredible talent for ordering things. (laughs) He is extremely imaginative when it comes to what you can order on the internet. That is definitely a talent."

What does it look like in your famous WhatsApp groupchat with Joshua Kimmich? Does it get heated before a match like this?

Robert Andrich:

"No, not at all. There aren't that many regular exchanges on there. The first person to message after the game, though, will probably be Jo Kimmich."

David Raum:

"Or whoever is on the winning team. Otherwise, the group really just consists of Rob and me writing something and Jo correcting our German. I constantly hear him talking about the difference between 'seid' and 'seit'."

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