RB Leipzig's turbulent start to the 2026/27 season took a more positive turn on Sunday when they thrashed Hamburger SV 5-0 at the Red Bull Arena, moving up to fifth in the Bundesliga with six points from three games. The result offered some relief after a punishing week that had brought serious questions about the club's direction under Martin Demichelis.

The Argentine coach had come under intense scrutiny following back-to-back defeats: a 1-3 loss at Werder Bremen and a chastening 1-4 home defeat to Champions League newcomers Como 1907 in their European opener. Reports from Bild indicated that concerns about Demichelis's attacking ideas had existed within the club since pre-season, with sport director Marcel Schäfer describing the Bremen result as a "real wake-up call." Schäfer publicly backed the coach after the Como defeat, stating that "everyone has our trust" while acknowledging the results fell short of the club's standards.

The win over Hamburg brought its own complication, though. Assan Ouedraogo, making his first Bundesliga start of the season, was forced off before half-time with what appeared to be a recurrence of the shoulder injury that had already cost him much of the campaign. Demichelis confirmed the outlook was not good, describing the 20-year-old as a "brutal talent" the team needs. The setback also likely rules Ouedraogo out of Jürgen Klopp's first Germany squad announcement.

Leipzig travel to Bayer Leverkusen on September 20 needing to build on Sunday's result.