Emotional speech: Mintzlaff plain speaking in Leipzig's dressing room

After the extremely fortunate victory against FC Augsburg, Oliver Mintzlaff paid the RB Leipzig players an unusual visit in the dressing room. The chairman of the supervisory board gave a long and reportedly emotional speech in English in the presence of club boss Tatjana Haenni. The 50-year-old wanted to get the team in the mood for the remaining nine games in the Bundesliga, at the end of which they should qualify for the Champions League.

"I think it was good for the team to get their attention once again for the final phase," said midfielder Nicolas Seiwald. "He said what's important, what we can do better and what we're already doing really well. And that we want to play internationally and that we have to win the next few games."

Werner only satisfied with the result

The goal Mintzlaff set was fourth place. Fifth-placed Leipzig are currently only separated from this by their inferior goal difference after the 2-1 win against Augsburg. Before the international break, Leipzig will face Stuttgart, who are directly ahead of them, and Hoffenheim, who are in third place.

They will need a better performance than against Augsburg, where they only won thanks to an own goal in stoppage time. "I'm happy with the result, but not with the performance," said coach Ole Werner. "You get the points you need at the end on days that aren't so good. When you get a dirty win and force your luck at the end."

That's why, according to Werner, the clubs are concentrating all their efforts ahead of the decisive phase of the season, which in Leipzig included Mintzlaff's visit to the dressing room. "He has committed the team to the phase that is coming," said Werner. "You can see how tight this race is. I perceived it as very positive."