RB Leipzig's season has taken a turbulent early course, and the club is navigating a delicate mix of renewed momentum and mounting concern. A commanding 5-0 home win over Hamburger SV on September 13 eased some of the pressure on head coach Martin Demichelis, who had faced serious scrutiny after back-to-back defeats, a 1-3 loss at Werder Bremen and a 1-4 Champions League opener against Como 1907. Sport director Marcel Schäfer had publicly backed Demichelis through the difficult spell, insisting the squad needed time to develop as a unit, and the result against Hamburg provided at least a temporary answer.

The relief, though, was short-lived off the pitch. Midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, who had only just returned from a pre-season shoulder injury, was forced off after 35 minutes against Hamburg and has since been confirmed for surgery on a capsule injury in his right shoulder. The 20-year-old will miss an indefinite period, ruling him out of Jürgen Klopp's first Germany squad for the Nations League. It is another chapter in a stop-start career plagued by physical setbacks since his move from Schalke.

Leipzig sit fifth in the Bundesliga with six points from three games, and attention now turns to a trip to Bayer Leverkusen on September 20. Demichelis retains the club's support, but the pressure to build on Sunday's result remains real.