Restaurant owner Baku: "Everyone trimmed to win"

New signing Ridle Baku is amazed at the high level of ambition at RB Leipzig. "It's all bigger, the ambitions are bigger, here you have to qualify for the Champions League, it's not enough for Europa League places or other international places. You have to win here. Here, everyone is so focused on winning," said the 26-year-old after the Saxon Bundesliga club's public training session and emphasized: "If we play to a draw, everyone is angry the next day. I've never experienced that before at other clubs."

The right-back, who joined from VfL Wolfsburg, could literally feel a weight lift from the team after the 2-0 win against FC St. Pauli. "The lads are enjoying playing again, everyone is freer again. It was a bit tense, of course also because of the results," said the four-time international.

Back in the DFB team via RB Leipzig

He is keeping an eye on a comeback in the DFB squad, even if the focus is currently elsewhere. "Of course you think about it when you change clubs. I wanted to get into the team first. If you're successful with Leipzig, then the national team coach will also drop by here a few times," said Baku, who was brought in to replace the injured international Benjamin Henrichs.

With Lutsharel Geertruida, Lukas Klostermann and the recently signed Kosta Nedeljkovic, the competition is fierce. "You have a lot of quality, you have to perform every game to be back in the starting eleven," said Baku.

Restaurant owner on the side

However, the professional doesn't just rely on the soccer business. "I started a shuttle service on the side, and I also have a small restaurant in Mainz," said Baku, who used to commute from Wolfsburg to Mainz and often had to wait for a delayed train. That's how the idea came about. "It's fun to just have a look at other areas," he said and is also happy to get involved in the culinary side of things. His favorite dish: crispy chicken bowl. "I'm an athlete, so you do pay a bit of attention to your diet."