David Raum Fires Warning to Julian Nagelsmann After Germany Snub
David Raum delivered an emphatic response to his omission from the Germany national team squad, scoring a direct free-kick in RB Leipzig’s 5-2 victory against FC Augsburg and declaring that he intends to make himself impossible to ignore for the next international window. The 28-year-old left-back grabbed his shirt and tapped his head in celebration after curling a 45th-minute set-piece off the inside of the post during the 5:2 win against FC Augsburg. The strike, which arrived in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, was the 40-time international’s third direct free-kick goal for Leipzig and his first such conversion in over a year.
The defender was left out of Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Serbia on November 13 and the Netherlands on November 16. Speaking to DAZN after Saturday’s Bundesliga match, Raum made no secret of his frustration regarding both his recent club form and the surrounding media coverage. “The last few weeks and everything that happened and was reported around it got on my nerves a bit, to put it nicely, and today I gave a little answer,” Raum said. The performance served as a tangible sign of the Nuremberg native’s improving form following a post-World Cup slump.
The Phone Call and the Competing Left-Back Profiles
Sport1 reported that the Leipzig captain addressed speculation surrounding his talks with the national team coach, clarifying that Nagelsmann had called him personally to explain the decision. For the left side of defense, the national coach opted instead for VfB Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstädt and Bayern Munich’s Nathaniel Brown, pointing to differing tactical profiles during his squad announcement. Beyond the roster selection, Raum specifically criticized unverified media reports that alleged the contents of his private conversation with the coach, noting that several newspapers had published claims about the call that were never actually stated.
“Of course it’s a disappointment. “I was always there. He called me. Despite his frustration, the defender confirmed he maintains a good relationship with the staff, having told the coach to “greet everyone” on his behalf, as the national team has become like a “second home.”
RB Leipzig’s Victory and the Road Back to the National Team
RBLive noted that the free-kick marked Raum’s third direct dead-ball goal for Leipzig and his first in more than a year, capping an upturn in form following a difficult period.
Despite missing out on the final fixtures of the Nations League group phase, Raum emphasized that his ambition remains fixed on reclaiming his role in the national setup. “I told him very honestly that I will respond with performances so that he cannot get around me next time,” Raum told Sky. “Today I took the first step.” He added that he will be cheering for the DFB-Elf in the coming matches, hoping that “we can be a national team again that all of Germany can be proud of.”
Raum’s current drive to return to the squad follows a 2021 debut and a consistent run of tournament appearances, including his participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 2024 home European Championship, and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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