RB Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner has taken his first running session after a serious injury. The Austrian attacking midfielder suffered a torn tendon in his right thigh in June, which ruled him out of the World Cup.
What is the current state of his recovery?
Baumgartner is currently at RB Leipzig's training camp in Saalfelden. On Tuesday, he was able to run on the pitch for the first time in two months. “I have to say: when you're allowed to run for the first time after two months, it's really awesome,” said the 27-year-old. He stressed he is putting no time pressure on himself because it is a very significant injury. His goal is to come back as strong as possible. His rehabilitation began in the World Cup quarters of the Austrian national team, a decision he now calls the right one.
What is Baumgartner's role at RB Leipzig?
Christoph Baumgartner is a key player for RB Leipzig. Last season he was the team's top scorer and top assist provider with 13 Bundesliga goals and nine assists. He is now in his fourth season for Die Roten Bullen and has reached 120 competitive appearances, making him the player with the fourth-most games in the current squad. His status at Leipzig and with the Austrian national team is undisputed. New coach Martin Demichelis has already sent him a nice message, according to Baumgartner, who perceives the new boss very positively.
What are the next steps for RB Leipzig?
While Baumgartner works his way back, the training camp is in full swing for the squad. On Wednesday, for instance, new winger Antonio Nusa was scheduled to join training after his holiday. New goalkeeper signing Örjan Nyland is also already active in camp. The team has important friendlies ahead before the Bundesliga season resumes. Fans can follow the further schedule on our fixtures page. The current team composition can be viewed on the squad page.
What does the future hold for Baumgartner?
The attacker has a clear goal in sight: the next World Cup in four years. “In four years I hope I'll be another step forward as a player, as a personality,” Baumgartner explained. The disappointing moments of missing the World Cup give him a lot of strength for the future. However, it will still be some time before he returns to full team training. Medical data and progress for all players are continuously monitored by the team. For Baumgartner, the immediate focus is on recapturing the exceptional form of last season, which he describes as probably extraordinary, and taking on responsibility.
