Antonio Nusa’s masterclass and Christopher Nkunku’s return fueled a five-goal demolition of HSV, silencing critics and reviving Martin Demichelis’s side despite a looming injury blow.
RB Leipzig needed a response, and they delivered one in emphatic fashion.
After back-to-back defeats had raised questions around Martin Demichelis and the direction of the team, Leipzig produced exactly the kind of performance they needed, dismantling Hamburger SV 5-0 at home and restoring some belief around the club.
The result was convincing, but the most encouraging aspect was the manner in which Leipzig gradually took control of the game.
Hamburg made the opening stages competitive, yet the Red Bulls were eventually able to turn their territorial dominance into a breakthrough in the 17th minute. Brajan Gruda found Ezechiel Banzuzi on the right, and the winger's low delivery was met first-time by Tidiam Gomis, who made no mistake from close range.
That goal settled Leipzig down.
Antonio Nusa then doubled the advantage before half-time after pouncing on a mistake from Daniel Heuer Fernandes. The Norwegian winger carried the ball forward before seeing his initial effort partially stopped by the goalkeeper, only for the ball to still find its way into the net.
Nusa would go on to be one of the defining figures of the afternoon.
Hamburg improved after the interval and briefly threatened to make the game uncomfortable, but Leipzig eventually found another gear. Once Willi Orbán converted Nusa's free-kick in the 72nd minute, the floodgates opened.
Two minutes later, Nusa was involved again.
This time he broke down the left and picked out Christopher Nkunku on the edge of the box. Nkunku made no mistake with his first-time finish, scoring his first goal since returning to Leipzig and giving the home crowd another reason to celebrate.
Rômulo then completed the five-minute demolition.
The striker won possession near halfway, drove towards goal and showed impressive composure to round Heuer Fernandes before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Five goals, a clean sheet and a statement response.
For Demichelis, the victory could hardly have arrived at a better time. The Argentine had been under increasing pressure following the consecutive defeats, making the performance against Hamburg particularly significant.
There were also individual positives throughout the team.
Nusa finished the afternoon with three goal involvements, directly contributing to goals for Orbán and Nkunku while also getting himself on the scoresheet. Gomis continued to show why Leipzig sees such potential in him, while Nkunku's goal should provide an important confidence boost after a difficult period.
But the biggest concern came away from the scoreline.
Assan Ouédraogo, who had only recently returned to fitness, was forced off with an injury, and Demichelis later admitted the situation "doesn't look good". The Leipzig coach was particularly worried given the midfielder's enormous potential and importance to the squad.
The timing could not be worse.
Leipzig now have momentum again, but their next challenge will reveal whether this was simply a reaction to two disappointing results or the beginning of something more sustainable.
The quality is clearly there. Orbán himself acknowledged that Die Roten Bullen are a very good team when they have their strongest side available, while also highlighting the challenge of producing that level consistently.
That consistency is now the key.
The 5-0 victory gives Demichelis breathing room and gives Leipzig a platform to build from. Their next Bundesliga test against Bayer Leverkusen will provide a far tougher examination. Still, after two defeats, the Red Bulls have at least reminded everyone what this squad is capable of.
