"Being back on the European stage means a lot to us"

In partnership with

RB Leipzig

·27 August 2026

"Being back on the European stage means a lot to us"

Following Thursday's Champions League draw, Marcel Schäfer and David Raum gave their thoughts on the Red Bulls’ eight opponents.

Our managing director for sport discussed RBL’s ambitions for the league phase and the club’s return to Europe, while our captain looked ahead to the challenge from the players’ perspective.

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Marcel Schäfer on...

...watching the draw together at the club offices:

“Everyone played their part last season in getting us back to where we are today. That applies not only to the players on the pitch, but also to all the staff within the team and across the club. After the major rebuild we went through last summer, it took a huge collective effort.That’s why it was important for us to share this special moment together as well. Being back on the European stage means a lot to us.”

...clear ambitions for the league phase:

“We’re hugely excited to be testing ourselves against Europe’s best teams and players again. We’ve been handed some very exciting opponents, both at home and on our travels.It’s a big challenge and one we’ll embrace with plenty of passion and enthusiasm. At the same time, we have our own ambitions: we want to make it through the league phase and have a successful Champions League campaign.”

...special reunions:

“The fact that there’ll also be a few trips down memory lane makes these games even more special. We’ll come up against several former players who enjoyed some fantastic and very successful years with us.I’m sure there’ll be plenty of hugs – hopefully each time after an RB Leipzig win.”

David Raum on...

...a special evening for everyone at RBL:

“It was really cool to watch the draw together. We worked for more than a year to get back here, so it was great to enjoy the evening as a group. There was a special atmosphere and everyone was excited. I think it was a really nice evening for all of us.”

...familiar faces and famous stadiums:

“It makes you realise just how many different clubs our former players have moved on to and how much quality we’ve had here in Leipzig.I’m really looking forward to the games. We’ve got some great away trips, some huge opponents coming to our home and the chance to play in special stadiums. Seeing a few familiar faces along the way makes it even better. You can have a friendly chat before and after the game, but once we’re on the pitch, it’ll be full-on.”

...ambitions in the Champions League:

“Our goal has to be to reach the next round, ideally by qualifying directly.I’m proud of this team and fully believe in the quality we have. Even with the strength of the opposition, we have the ability and, in my view, the ambition to make it through to the next round.”

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