Matters continue to go far better than could have been envisioned for RB Leipzig midfielder Assan Ouédraogo this season. The 19-year-old scored just two minutes into his debut for the German national team on Tuesday; in the stadium of his Bundesliga club no less. Back at the Red Bull Arena for his club’s Bundesliga fixture last night, the former Schalke starlet netted an absolute cracker that proved to be the game-winning goal.

Ouédraogo’s 1-0 against Werder Bremen nevertheless – in the player’s opinion at least – didn’t constitute the best goal he’s ever scored in his young career. The young man, who only just received his first Germany U21 call up and his first German senior team cap, looked back at his days in the DFB youth ranks whilst conducting his post-match interview last night. 

“I’ve scored two better ones,” Ouédraogo told DAZN last night. “One in the U-19 European Championship with a drop kick into the corner and one in the U-15 where I scored directly off the kickoff. This one was a bit lucky. I try to play my game and things are certainly going well at the moment, but I’m having some luck and will take that too.

“It’s been a perfect week,” Ouédraogo went on to say. “Two goals. Two wins. Two clean sheets. It doesn’t get any better than this.“

Ouédraogo’s redemption arc fits perfectly with the narrative of his club this season. Newly appointed head coach Ole Werner appeared totally out of his depth following a 6-0 declassing at the hands of FC Bayern Munich on opening night.

After a summer during which outgoing transfer rumors left his relationship with the club strained, Austrian midfielder Christoph Baumgartner (who registered an assist on Leipzig’s second goal) is dazzling for the German Red Bulls. 

Both Baumgartner and Werner also commented on Ouédraogo’s form surge in their respective post-match interviews. 

“I’m very happy for him because he had a difficult time in his first year,” Baumgartner remarked in the mixed zone. “He’s currently on a high, inspired by the national team and his goals. But that’s no coincidence. He’s a great guy who works very hard, who now believes in himself and who is fit. That goal was an expression of pure quality.“

“It’s special to work with young players who perform like this,” Werner added. “One observes them getting better every day in training and matches. That brings a lot of joy  and Assan has developed superbly so far. He’s certainly not near the top of is potential yet.”