Amadou Haidara: 'My work is starting to pay off'
Amadou Haidara is delighted with how the new season has started for him.
After a difficult start to life at RB Leipzig, Amadou Haidara is slowly beginning to make a name for himself in Germany.
The 22-year-old has struggled to find regular playing time since his arrival in January 2019, but could have a bigger role this season, having started Leipzig's first three games at the right wing-back position in the absence of the injured Konrad Laimer.
"I have really enjoyed the start of the season. It has worked out great. We prepared well, the coach put his trust in me. My work is starting to pay off," Haidara said in an interview with Kicker.
"I've been talking to the coach a lot lately. He explained a lot of things to me about what to do when we're attacking. Now I can implement his ideas better and put in stronger performances."
When he arrived in Leipzig a year and nine months ago, Haidara was suffering from a cruciate ligament injury, and the 22-year-old found it difficult to make a real impact after his recovery.
His first full season at Red Bull Arena saw him make just five Bundesliga starts, but Haidara insists he never stopped believing in himself.
"It's true that my start to life here at Leipzig was a bit complicated. But I always had confidence in myself, always worked hard on myself. I knew that I had to have a lot of patience. I'm profiting from that now.
"Of course, as a footballer, you ask questions when you're not playing much. But you can't bury your head in the sand. I've always received support from the club, and I've had many conversations with the coaches, who have clearly told me that they have faith in me."
RB Leipzig paid around €19 million to sign Haidara from their sister-club RB Salzburg last year.