"Maybe I didn’t get the output I deserved last season" – Antonio Nusa eager to build on strong start

RED BULL ARENA, LEIPZIG (Bulinews): After back-to-back defeats to Werder Bremen and Como, RB Leipzig returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, thrashing Hamburger SV 5-0 at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday.

Named Man of the Match for his performance, Antonio Nusa was one of the architects of the convincing victory, scoring once and providing two assists.

Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, the Norwegian international was unsurprisingly delighted with the way he and his teammates had bounced back.

“It feels great. We want to win every game, and of course we've had two difficult games now, but to be able to bounce back with a 5-0 win is really nice,” Nusa told Bulinews.com.

Looking back on the preparation for the game, the 21-year-old believes head coach Martin Demichelis struck the right balance between not dwelling on the recent defeats and making the necessary adjustments.

“It's easy to look into the past too much when you've just lost two games. It’s difficult, but [Demichelis] told us to look forward. Today, we had to perform, and we did. I think he had a good balance of not thinking too much of the past, but attacking this situation today, and that's what we did," Nusa said.

Nusa has enjoyed his time under Demichelis so far, describing working with the Argentine coach as "amazing".

“I really like his passion and his view on the game,” Nusa revealed, adding:

“The energy is nice, he’s connecting us in a good way. I feel good with him, and hopefully he’s happy with me as well.”
 

Improving his output

Demichelis certainly has plenty of reason to be pleased with Nusa, who has made an impressive start to the season, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his first five appearances.

In doing so, he has already moved within striking distance of his tally from last season, when he racked up five goals and four assists in 35 appearances.

“I always believe in my qualities,” Nusa said when asked about his strong start to the campaign.

“Maybe I didn’t get the output I deserved last season, but I work hard, and I just try to help and score as much as possible.”

Despite still being just 21, the Norwegian international is now into his third season at the Red Bull Arena and acknowledges that his growing experience also comes with greater responsibility.

“For sure. I think that’s normal. I have a lot of experience now. I also played at the World Cup, so I try to bring that and help the team as much as possible," Nusa explained.

Following Sunday’s victory, RB Leipzig sit fifth in the Bundesliga table with six points from their opening three games.