Nkunku clarifies goal-celebration: "My son likes balloons."
Commemorating an incredible ten-games unbeaten on-the-spin, RB Leipzig trainer Marco Rose and star Saxon striker Christopher Nkunku spoke on their team's revival following last night's Champions' League victory.
After falling to Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-3 on the 2022/23 German Bundesliga's seventh matchday, RB Leipzig have gone through the entire month of October without a defeat. A nine-game unbeaten run was to 10 last night with the 4-0 rout over Shakhtar Donetsk in the final Champions' League group stage match yesterday.
November could hardly be off to a better start for the German Red Bulls. The club's fourth straight UCL victory puts RB through to the 2023 knockout phase of the competition in second place in their group. Should Marco Rose's men prevail against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in this weekend's "El Plastico", they can possibly maintain some hope of cracking the Bundesliga's top-four.
To the surprise of few, French star striker Christopher Nkunku's recent form has played the most important role in the team's recent resurgence. The heavily linked with Chelsea FC goal-machine has netted in his last four games across all competitions. Nknunku finished off the UCL goal stages with three goals and is currently tied with SV Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug for the league lead on nine.
"It wasn't an easy game, we required a lot of intensity," last night's man-of-the-match commented after the full-time whistle "We were looking for this win, and we found it. We are very happy about that."
In his own post-match comments, Rose revealed that Nkunku had come to him personally and asked for a more centralized deployment. The RB trainer was naturally happy to oblige a player possessing such talent.
"He came to me and said, 'Coach, I need to get closer to the goal'," Rose divulged "And because that worked out well right away, we kept that in place."
The on-fire attacker was also asked about his unique goal celebration following his 10th minute opener. The Frenchman appeared to be playing to the camera a bit by inflating a red ballon. Nkunku nevertheless clarified that it was not a hubristic display. Rather, the 24-year-old's actions were related to family.
"The ballon was for my son," Nkunku noted, "he likes balloons."
Asked about the display himself, Rose added "I think it's nice that a dad thinks of his family."
"A perfect night for RB Leipzig" 🗣️
— RB Leipzig (@RBLeipzig) November 2, 2022
Christo #Nkunku klärt auf: Sein Ballon-Torjubel war für seinen Sohn, der Luftballons unglaublich gerne mag 😁🎈#DONRBL #UCL pic.twitter.com/Q6BqzXcIjY