RB boss: Putting his foot down with Diomande and praise for Werner

After his running session on the sidelines of the floodlit match against Union Berlin, Oliver Mintzlaff was full of praise for the powerful performance of Leipzig's RB professionals. He personally clapped off Yan Diomande and at the same time put his foot down with the Ivorian. "If I were managing director of sport, I wouldn't sell this young player, who has only been with us for less than a full season. No matter what price is being asked," said the Red Bull managing director on pay-TV channel Sky after the 3-1 win against Berlin. Even the price tag of 100 million euros doesn't really impress the chairman of the Bundesliga club's supervisory board.

"I believe that he is a player who can continue to develop because he is of course still very young. And he can certainly become even more expensive," Mintzlaff emphasized in view of his contract, which runs until the summer of 2030. He is therefore "completely relaxed" about the matter.

Champions League argument

According to the 50-year-old, there are also "other clubs where players also want to take the next step - FC Bayern is one of them, but also clubs from England and Spain. But we have to make sure that a player doesn't leave us after just one year, even if he delivers outstanding performances here," explained Mintzlaff. Especially with a view to the Champions League, where the 19-year-old Diomande can still present himself on a bigger stage.

With their fifth win in a row, the Saxons have clearly stayed on course for the top flight. After all, rivals Leverkusen and Hoffenheim won away from home. "It was important to get ahead on Friday evening. There are still difficult tasks ahead of us. We've only achieved our goal when we've crossed the finishing line," said head coach Ole Werner, who received plenty of praise from the RB bosses.

Mintzlaff: "Outstanding job done"

"The coaching team around Ole Werner, the team and the whole club have contributed to the fact that we are now here after the disappointing last season," said sporting director Marcel Schäfer. The ambitious and critical Mintzlaff, for whom missing out on the Champions League in the previous season was "a shock", was visibly satisfied after the XXL upheaval last summer. "If we can maintain our stability until the end, then everyone here has done an outstanding job, including the head coach, Marcel Schäfer and the entire coaching team and all the players on the pitch."

Now RB have to face Leverkusen. "That will be very difficult. If we beat them, nobody would put up a fight. We want to achieve our goal of getting into the Champions League. We have to give it everything we've got," said defensive boss Willi Orban.

Finkgräfe dedicates first goal to his late grandfather

No matter who replaces him in the event of injury or absence, the young team delivers in the decisive phase of the season. The best example is Max Finkgräfe, who replaced the ailing captain David Raum. In front of 47,800 spectators, he put Leipzig ahead in the 22nd minute with a long-range shot. It was his first RB goal - and a special one. "I've been dreaming of this. I hit the ball superbly and am naturally very happy. The goal goes to my grandpa. He passed away recently. I hope he's happy," said the 22-year-old full-back, saluting with an outstretched index finger to the heavens.