Episode 103

Full-Time: Ouédraogo brilliance & Pokal ambitions, Leipzig on the rise

In this episode of RBL Talk, we start with the latest news from RB Leipzig, including a full injury update and how Ole Werner might rotate the squad ahead of a busy stretch. With a DFB Pokal match coming up, squad depth and fitness are front of mind — we go through who's back in contention, who remains out, and how those decisions could shape the next couple of games as Leipzig aim to maintain momentum across competitions.

We then break down the incredible 6–0 away win over FC Augsburg — one of Leipzig's most dominant performances under Ole Werner so far. The team's 4-3-3 shape clicked perfectly, with aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. We highlight how the vertical passing lanes and wide overloads consistently dismantled Augsburg's defensive block, and how the team's balance between midfield control and attacking variety continues to improve week by week.

Our player watch segment focuses on Christoph Baumgartner for Leipzig and Fabian Rieder for Augsburg. Baumgartner's intelligent positioning, sharp off-ball movement, and ability to connect the front three made him a standout, while Rieder struggled to impose himself under constant Leipzig pressure. We compare their numbers and tactical influence, looking at how each fit into their team's system and who ultimately won the midfield battle.

Finally, we look ahead to Tuesday night's DFB Pokal Round of 32 clash away to Energie Cottbus. Leipzig will be heavy favorites, but Ole Werner will need to balance rotation with respect for a motivated lower-league opponent. We preview the key matchup between Tolcay Cigerci — Cottbus' creative hub — and Ezechiel Banzuzi, whose energy and drive could define Leipzig's midfield control. The episode wraps up with listener questions from the RBL Talk community — Anonymus via speakpipe and RBL Trolly via X on tactics, player form, and expectations heading into the Pokal tie.

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About the Podcast

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RBL Talk — RB Leipzig Podcast (English)
The global home for RB Leipzig fans. Independent, fan-led coverage, in English.

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About your host

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Justin Crozer

Tactics. Terrace. Truth.

The Analyst from the Antipodes
I'm based in Australia, and I've spent years closing the 15,500-kilometre gap between the stands of the Red Bull Arena and the international fan community. I'm the creator and host of RBL Talk, where I pair the cold, hard data of SofaScore tactical breakdowns with the warm, unfiltered pulse of the global fanbase. I do it all around a 60-hour working week, with no corporate sponsors and no gatekeepers — just one fan who decided the international RBL community deserved a home.

More Than xG
RBL Talk was born from a genuine love of the fearless, youth-driven football that put Leipzig on the map — but I was never going to stop at verticality and expected goals. As the modern game drifts toward VAR overreach, all-seater sterility and the over-policing of the people in the stands, I've sharpened what this show is for. I'm not just here to talk about the three points on a weekend; I'm here to be a vocal advocate for the supporters who make the sport worth watching in the first place.

A Community-First Philosophy
From Digital Terrace Feed watchalongs to an active Discord home, listener takes via SpeakPipe, and my Player Watch segment, RBL Talk is built on one belief: football is nothing without its fans. It's a home for supporters who love this team but aren't afraid to demand more of it — the kind of place where a regular fan, a rival supporter and a working journalist can all end up on the same mic. I've had guests from across the Bundesliga, from clubs around the world, and from the reporters and journalists who cover the game for a living.

Roots and Reason
My feel for the game runs deeper than one club, but it stays where it belongs: on the pitch. With my own family roots reaching back to Germany, I understand how deeply football and identity are woven together over there — but RBL Talk keeps the focus on the football itself, not the agendas around it. That's the whole point.

I'm no trophy hunter, but I hold this club to a standard: competing for the Bundesliga and the Pokal every season, and going as deep as we can in Europe. Top four and a real cup run isn't a dream around here — rebuild years aside, it's the baseline. This is where data meets DNA: the most honest, analytical and fan-first coverage of RB Leipzig I can put into the world.

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