Die Roten Bullen opened their Bundesliga campaign with a convincing 3-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Red Bull Arena, combining controlled dominance with attacking quality and defensive resilience to keep the visitors at bay. For Martín Demichelis, it was the ideal Bundesliga debut on the touchline: a composed, commanding performance that offered a promising early glimpse of what his new-look Leipzig side can become.

Ridle Baku opened the scoring in the 26th minute after an intelligent combination with Tidiam Gomis. The move was simple but effective: Gomis' quick exchange created the space for Baku to attack the right side of the penalty area, and the Leipzig defender kept his composure to finish into the bottom corner.

Yet Gladbach had opportunities to change the game before Leipzig scored. Their best chance came from a corner when Hugo Bolin fired from close range, only for Maarten Vandevoordt to produce an outstanding piece of goalkeeping. The Belgian goalkeeper first pushed the effort onto the post before recovering immediately to prevent Tim Kleindienst from turning in the rebound.

That moment proved significant.

Leipzig weathered a huge Gladbach chance, then punished them 5 minutes later. They struck first and, just four minutes after the break, doubled their lead with a finish that left the goalkeeper no chance.

Gomis again played the decisive role, finding Antonio Nusa just outside the box. The Norwegian winger drove into the area before unleashing a spectacular strike into the top corner from around 17 metres. Moritz Nicolas could stretch all he wanted, but the finish was simply beyond him.

Nusa's goal effectively shifted the game in Leipzig's favour. With two goals to protect, the hosts could play with greater control, while Gladbach were forced to take more risks.

The third goal carried an extra layer of significance.

Rocco Reitz, who had joined RBL from Gladbach, scored against his former club in the 66th minute. Christopher Nkunku, returning to competitive action in front of the Red Bull Arena crowd, drove through midfield before releasing Reitz into the penalty area. The new signing calmly finished through Nicolas to make it 3-0.

It was an especially fitting moment for Reitz, who had only recently left Gladbach for Leipzig. The club had already highlighted the significance of his reunion with his former side before the match.

There was little doubt about the result by that stage. Leipzig had registered 13 attempts compared with Gladbach's five, and the hosts' control of the game was reflected in both the scoreline and their attacking output.

For Demichelis, the 3-0 victory represents an excellent Bundesliga introduction. Die Roten Bullen had already started the season strongly with a 6-0 DFB-Pokal victory over Eintracht Trier, and the opening-day win over Gladbach suggests that momentum is carrying into league football.

There will be tougher tests ahead, but Leipzig's first statement of the new season could hardly have been clearer: three goals, a clean sheet and three points.