Demichelis, Reitz and Baku Reflect on Leipzig’s 3-0 Win Over Gladbach

The three points were in the bag. The clean sheet was intact. The sold-out Red Bull Arena had celebrated a 3-0 victory.

But when Martín Demichelis spoke after his Bundesliga debut, the RB Leipzig coach was already looking beyond the result.

There was plenty to like about Leipzig's opening-day performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach, particularly the intensity with which they played for much of the afternoon. That was one of the clearest themes to emerge from the reactions afterwards, with Demichelis insisting that the way his team attacked and defended had to become one of its defining characteristics.

The final stages were one of the few points of frustration.

With the result effectively settled, Die Roten Bullen lost some of their aggression and allowed Gladbach to see more of the ball. Demichelis was not particularly concerned, but he knows those small drops in concentration will become more costly against stronger opponents, especially with Champions League football returning this season.

Marcel Schäfer made a similar assessment. Leipzig's managing director for sport was pleased with what he saw, while acknowledging that the team still has another level to reach.

For Leipzig, however, the most interesting part of the afternoon may have been the contributions from players who represent different parts of the club's current project.

Rocco Reitz's goal against his former club was an obvious highlight. The midfielder only joined RBL this summer, making his first competitive appearance against the team he left even more significant.

He admitted afterwards that he had tried not to think too much about the occasion before kick-off. Once the game began, though, the emotion was impossible to completely escape.

Then there was Christopher Nkunku.

The Frenchman's return to Leipzig had already dominated the build-up to the season, and his first appearance back at the Red Bull Arena provided an immediate reminder of why the club wanted him back. Coming on in the second half, he quickly supplied the assist for Reitz.

For Demichelis, Nkunku's ability to operate in several positions could become particularly valuable as the season develops.

Baku, meanwhile, offered perhaps the clearest summary of what Die Roten Bullen believe the result represents. It was not simply an opening-day victory. It was an early indication that the new Leipzig can be difficult to play against.

That balance between confidence and caution was present throughout the post-match reaction.

Leipzig have started with three points, three goals, and a clean sheet. Demichelis has his first Bundesliga victory.

Now comes the harder part: proving that this was the beginning of something rather than simply an excellent opening afternoon.