The veteran captain embraces a high-intensity evolution under Martín Demichelis, eyeing increased offensive freedom and goal contributions to lead Leipzig’s ambitious return to the Champions League stage.
David Raum is heading into his fifth season at RB Leipzig with more responsibility, more experience and, if his assessment of Martín Demichelis' ideas is anything to go by, the expectation of contributing even more in attack.
The 28-year-old will wear the captain's armband for a second straight season and is clearly enjoying what he's seen from the new head coach during pre-season. For Raum, the biggest attraction is the combination of aggression without the ball and freedom with it.
Micho embodies it absolutely. He's always got a lot of positive energy. The coaching team is always pushing us, and Micho leads the way. It's exciting. Off the ball, we are very active and aggressive, while we aim to be creative on the ball. We want to inject pace into the game. Our style of play is a good mix of entertainment, energy and mentality.
That description should suit Raum particularly well.
The left-back has always been one of Leipzig's most attack-minded players, with his crossing and set-piece delivery among his biggest strengths. Last season, he finished with three goals and nine assists in 34 competitive appearances, numbers that already made him one of the squad's more productive defenders.
Under Demichelis, he believes there could be even more to come.
I'm always pushing myself to get in on the action. My role under Micho could end up being very, very fun and one where, I don't want to make too many promises, I can get more goal contributions.
That ambition fits the coach's wider approach.
Demichelis wants Leipzig to play with greater intensity and pace, but also expects his players to be aggressive when attacking space. For Raum, that could mean pushing higher and arriving in dangerous positions more frequently rather than simply being the player responsible for supplying the final ball.
It is an interesting evolution for a player who has already become one of Leipzig's most recognisable figures.
Raum has another reason to be excited about the season ahead: Champions League football is back.
Leipzig missed out on European competition last season, making their return to the continent's biggest stage particularly significant. Raum has already made 19 Champions League appearances with Leipzig and Hoffenheim and has collected 39 caps for Germany, but leading his club into the competition as captain will give that experience a different meaning.
He admitted that the thought of walking his team out in Europe is something he is particularly proud of.
I'm hoping for a few great Champions League nights against exciting opponents. And I'm also hoping we perform better than we did two years ago. The team is talented enough to get to the knockout rounds.
That ambition also says something about where Leipzig believe they should be.
The club is coming off a season without European football, but the return to the Champions League has raised expectations again. Demichelis now has to turn an exciting collection of players into a team that can compete on several fronts.
Raum will be central to that.
As captain, senior international and one of the team's most experienced players, his role extends beyond what he produces down the left. But his attacking contribution could be particularly important if Demichelis' system gives him the freedom he expects.
Last season was productive.
Raum clearly believes there is another level to reach.
