Löw's promise fulfilled: Baku rest after scoring

The message from RB Leipzig's new coach to Ridle Baku had an effect. "I told him before the game that I was very happy with his development and his performance, but I really wanted to see him score," explained Zsolt Löw after the 3-1 home win against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on his debut as head coach of the Saxon club. Baku had contributed to the success in his 300th championship match with his goal to make it 2-1 shortly before the break.

Tired legs after a short recovery time

"Task accomplished, he was able to come off at half-time and recover," said Löw, who then substituted the four-time international after the first half. Baku was also in the starting eleven for the first match under the 45-year-old Hungarian's leadership in the DFB Cup semi-final on Wednesday and only arrived in Leipzig with the team at 3.00 a.m. on Thursday night. Riedle simply had tired legs against Hoffenheim, as did a few other players.

"You have to know about Ridle, he always invests a lot. He runs 12, 13 kilometers every game, a lot," explained Löw. He had seen that he wanted to and was trying, "but he wasn't really getting anywhere". But Löw was all the more pleased that it was enough for a goal.

The interim coach is set to lead RB into the Champions League after Leipzig parted company with Marco Rose. The win against Hoffenheim was a first step. RB will then need a new head coach in the summer. "There is no chance that I will continue," Löw emphasized once again.