RB Leipzig: Yussuf Poulsen - player, mentor and important factor

In the still young club history of RB Leipzig, Yussuf Poulsen could be something of a part-time chronicler again. After all, the Dane has experienced and shaped 11 of the 15 years himself - from the 3rd division to the Champions League. The 30-year-old is no longer the first choice in sporting terms, but he is still indispensable.

"You can always rely on Yussi," said coach Marco Rose. The 47-year-old means that not only in terms of soccer, but also in terms of the human component. "We know his value, what standing he has in the club, in the city. He's the original rock par excellence."

Friendly instead of biting

Poulsen's game is characterized by a certain selflessness. The last pass before a goal gives the Danish international at least as much satisfaction as a goal of his own. This team spirit also stands out for Poulsen in the fierce competition for regular places. Instead of being snappy towards the other strikers, he approaches them, takes them on, makes them better.

This was the case for Benjamin Sesko last season. The highly gifted Slovenian struggled in the first half of the season, with Poulsen usually starting. In the second half of the season, Sesko overtook the RB legend, scored eleven goals and was courted across Europe.

"A bit of his mentor"

This was triggered by Poulsen of all people. "He helped him a lot," said Rose. "Through individual coaching, through many conversations. He was a bit of a mentor."

And now Poulsen has taken on new signing Antonio Nusa. He is looking after the 19-year-old, who could be in the starting eleven today against VfL Bochum (3.30pm/Sky). Nusa came off the bench in the 83rd minute of the 4-1 cup win at Rot-Weiss Essen and scored his first goal in an RB shirt a minute later.

What's important to Rose is that Poulsen is far from over in sporting terms. "I don't just see Yussi as an integrator and facilitator, he's already an important factor for us," said the coach. "When he's healthy, when he's fit, that's always important with Yussi." The good connection to the purchased diamonds in the rough is at least as valuable.