Finkgräfe dedicates his first RB goal to his late grandfather

Max Finkgräfe raised his index finger to the sky and was emotionally exhausted after scoring his first goal for RB Leipzig. "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 after the 3-1 win over Union Berlin.

In front of 47,800 spectators in the sold-out Red Bull Arena, he had put Leipzig ahead in the 22nd minute with a long-range shot after Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow could only deflect the ball from Yan Diomande to the middle. Leopold Querfeld headed the ball straight to the feet of Finkgräfe, who took a tip from his grandfather - "just shoot it" - and scored in spectacular fashion.

Finkgräfe: The next step next season

After saluting the heavens, he buried his face in his hands in disbelief, while his teammates behind him were just as emotional.

After captain David Raum was injured, Finkgräfe was allowed to start from the beginning, as he did in the 3-1 win in Frankfurt. That gave him a boost. "Personally, I've developed a lot - both as a person and as a footballer. That was my goal. Next season, I'll try to take the next step," said the left-back, who joined from 1. FC Köln last summer.