Christoph Baumgartner
RBL
Center Midfielder
Attacking Midfielder
Shadow Striker
Aug 1, 1999 (27)
Right
5'11"
161 lb
Strikes as substitute
Baumgartner scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal) during Saturday's 4-0 win over Elversberg.
Analysis: Baumgartner entered the match in the 72nd minute and scored Leipzig's third goal in the 84th. It was the first league appearance this season for Baumgartner as he returned from a hamstring injury mid week in the Champions League.
Assists in return
Baumgartner assisted once to go with zero corners and one chance created in Wednesday's 4-1 defeat versus Real Madrid.
Analysis: Baumgartner made his long-awaited return to the pitch after missing the first two months of the season with an injury. He made an immediate impact, recording an assist in just 12 minutes off the bench. The midfielder will look to work his way back into the starting XI after starting 32 of 33 Bundesliga matches last season.
Bench option
Baumgartner (hamstring) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Real Madrid.
Analysis: Baumgartner is fit once again, as expected, with the midfielder on the bench following a hamstring injury. He will look to make his season debut after the injury kept him out for around the first two months of the season. He is a key player to the team when fit and will look to get back into a starting role once his fitness levels are right, recording 13 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances (32 starts) last season.
Available vs. Real Madrid
Baumgartner (hamstring) is in the squad for Wednesday's UCL match against Real Madrid.
Analysis: The central midfielder will have the chance to make his long-awaited 2026/27 season debut Wednesday, as he's been confirmed to be included in the squad. This marks the end of a long road to recovery for the star midfielder, who missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining an injury with Austria just days before the team's debut. At club level, Baumgartner started in 32 of his 33 Bundesliga appearances in 2025/26, tallying 13 goals and eight assists from midfield.
Continues gradual training reintegration
Baumgartner (hamstring) continues to participate in portions of RB Leipzig's team training sessions as he gradually works toward a return from injury. The midfielder remains doubtful for upcoming fixtures, with no definitive timeline established for his return to competitive action, according to the club.
Analysis: Baumgartner is making steady progress in his rehabilitation after initially resuming limited group activities last week. Leipzig confirmed Friday that the midfielder continues to be reintegrated into team training step by step, although he has yet to resume unrestricted participation. Having already missed the Bundesliga clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, Baumgartner remains in the process of rebuilding his fitness and is not yet ready for competitive action. His continued involvement in partial training sessions is encouraging, but he will need to increase his workload before being considered for selection. With no specific return date announced, his availability for Leipzig's upcoming matches remains uncertain.
Not ready to return
Baumgartner (hamstring) is ruled out for Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Eintracht Frankfurt as he continues his recovery from a muscular injury, according to Leipziger Volkszeitung.
Analysis: Baumgartner has made some progress in his rehabilitation after recently resuming limited team training, but Saturday's matchup comes too soon for the midfielder. Despite taking part in portions of Tuesday's session, he has yet to regain full fitness and will remain sidelined. Leipzig will have to adjust their midfield options against Frankfurt, with Baumgartner's return to competitive action still dependent on his progress in full team training.
Progressively returning to team training
Baumgartner (hamstring) completed small parts of team training Tuesday.
Analysis: While the return to team training is a step in the right direction, Baumgartner might not recover in time to face Frankfurt on Saturday, as he has only four days to log at least one full training session. The midfielder is trending in the right direction, but it wouldn't be surprising if he has to wait a bit longer for his return to competitive action.
Still training individually
Baumgartner (hamstring) has been training individually and doesn't have a specific date to resume team training, the club announced Tuesday.
Analysis: Unlike Rocco Reitz (thigh) and Castello Lukeba (groin), who are both expected to resume team training soon, Baumgartner is still training on his own. The midfielder is expected to be available for selection after the international break, bt given that he's yet to resume team training, it's uncertain whether he'll be fit to play against Frankfurt on Oct. 10 when the Bundesliga resumes.
Eyeing October return
Baumgartner (thigh) is expected to return to the pitch following the October international break as he continues his recovery from a torn thigh tendon, according to Leipziger Volkszeitung.
Analysis: Baumgartner has been sidelined for several months with the significant thigh injury and will remain unavailable for Sunday's clash against Bayer Leverkusen. The attacker has previously indicated that his rehabilitation remains on schedule, and the latest update provides a clearer target for his return to on-field work. Leipzig's first Bundesliga match after the break comes against Eintracht Frankfurt on Oct. 10, though it remains unclear whether Baumgartner will be ready for the squad by then or will initially need additional time in training.
Still weeks away, no firm return date
Baumgartner remains out for an undetermined period, having been sidelined for nearly three months with a torn hamstring, according to BILD.
Analysis: Baumgartner said to the media that he still have a few weeks left since he had a significant injury that unfortunately takes a lot of time to recover from, but the team and the player are respecting the planned timeline. Leipzig has recently pointed to autumn as a possible target for his return, and while the exact date remains uncertain, the midfielder says his rehabilitation continues to progress as planned after last season's 13 goals and eight assists across 33 appearances.
Continues rehabilitation
Baumgartner (thigh) is still rehabbing, and it appears he will start the season on the sidelines, according to his club.
Analysis: Baumgartner underwent a procedure in June and has not recovered after his thigh was worked on, with the midfielder still in rehabilitation. Unfortunately for the club, this is a major loss, as he is set to be a starter and is an important part of the team, recording 13 goals and eight assists in 33 appearances last campaign. This will likely leave Nicolas Seiwald, Ezechiel Banzuzi, Brajan Gruda or Arthur Vermeeren to make up the three starting in midfield to begin the campaign, as Assan Ouedraogo (shoulder) looks to also be out.
Facing extended absence
Baumgartner (thigh) is not expected to be available until the end of September, according to Leipziger Volkszeitung.
Analysis: Baumgartner suffered a torn tendon at the front of his thigh near the hip shortly before the World Cup, an injury that has kept him out since. He transitioned to running as part of his buildup program earlier this month, though he still appears to have a considerable way to go. This timeline suggests Leipzig can't reasonably count on him before the Bundesliga's first international break, which follows matchday four (Sept. 18-20), with league play resuming Oct. 9-11. Baumgartner is expected to continue his recovery process as the club monitors his progress.
Begins running on pitch
Baumgartner has completed his first running sessions on the pitch this week as he continues rehabilitation from his thigh injury, according to the player, per Kicker. "Everything is going wonderfully so far. We're perfectly on schedule"
Analysis: Baumgartner deliberately chose to accompany the squad to the training camp despite being unable to join group sessions, valuing the exchanges with his teammates and the chance to observe the group's development. He declined to give a specific timeline for his return, saying he isn't putting any pressure on himself regarding timing and wants to come back stronger than before the injury. This marks his first time running again after nearly two months without doing so. Baumgartner is expected to continue his individual rehabilitation program as the club's preseason continues.
Joins preseason training camp
Baumgartner (thigh) is joining RB Leipzig's preseason training camp, according to the club.
Analysis: Baumgartner underwent surgery for a muscle injury suffered ahead of a June friendly against Tunisia, an issue that ruled him out of the World Cup entirely, and he had spent time recovering at Austria's World Cup camp in Santa Barbara before returning to the club. His inclusion in the traveling squad for the camp is an encouraging sign in his recovery, though he remains on an individual rehabilitation program with the goal of being fit for the new 2026/27 Bundesliga season.
Continues individual program
Baumgartner (thigh) is back with the club and continuing his individual rehabilitation program, the club announced.
Analysis: Baumgartner underwent surgery for a muscle injury suffered ahead of a June 1 friendly against Tunisia, an issue that ruled him out of the World Cup entirely. He had spent time recovering at Austria's World Cup camp in Santa Barbara before this return, with the goal of being fit for the 2026-27 campaign still the primary target. No specific timeline for his return to full team training has been disclosed at this stage. Baumgartner is expected to continue his individual program as Leipzig's preseason progresses.
Continues rehabilitation at WC camp
Baumgartner (muscular) will travel to Austria's World Cup camp in Santa Barbara to continue his rehabilitation following the successful procedure on his muscle injury, with the federation and RB Leipzig accommodating his wish to recover in the national team environment, the club announced.
Analysis: Baumgartner sustained the injury ahead of the June 1 friendly against Tunisia and has already undergone a successful procedure, ruling him out of the World Cup entirely. Despite his unavailability for the tournament, the 26-year-old will spend a week at the Austrian camp working on his recovery under optimal medical conditions provided by both the federation and RB Leipzig. His presence in the camp will allow him to support his teammates during the competition while continuing his rehabilitation in familiar surroundings. A return to action ahead of next season remains the primary target, with the procedure expected to have him fit for the 2026-27 campaign.
Undergoes procedure
Baumgartner (thigh) has undergone a procedure on his muscle injury and will start his rehabilitation, according to his club.
Analysis: Baumgartner has already been ruled out of the World Cup after an injury in a friendly and has received further treatment, as the midfielder underwent surgery. He will now start his rehabilitation and will look to further progress his health as pre-season preparations start. There is a solid chance he returns ahead of the next season, as this procedure was likely to have him fit for the 2026/27 season.
Ruled out of World Cup
Baumgartner (thigh) has been ruled out of the World Cup after an MRI examination confirmed a muscle injury in his right thigh, the Austrian Football Federation announced.
Analysis: Baumgartner had felt a stab of pain in the hip flexor area during the warmup for Monday's final pre-tournament friendly against Tunisia, and the scan results have delivered the worst possible news for Austria heading into the competition. The attacking midfielder was expected to be the undisputed creative heartbeat of coach Ralf Rangnick's side and his absence is a devastating blow for a team that had genuine ambitions of making a deep run at the tournament. Austria will now need to find solutions in attack without one of their most important playmakers when their World Cup campaign opens against Jordan on June 17.
Suffers adductor issue
Baumgartner was a late scratch from Austria's starting XI for Monday's 1-0 victory over Tunisia after feeling a stab of pain in the adductor area during the warmup, with coach Ralf Rangnick awaiting further examination results before providing a clearer picture on the severity, according to Sky Sport Austria. "We still have to wait and see what is going on with Baumi. We will only know tomorrow how serious the injury is. Hopefully not too serious. It stabbed him during a shot on goal, more in the hip flexor area."
Analysis: Baumgartner couldn't play Monday's friendly against Tunisia after suffering an adductor issue in the warmup before the clash. Coach Rangnick's words were tempered by encouragement from teammate Marcel Sabitzer, who revealed Baumgartner himself believes the issue is not serious. Austria have about two weeks before their World Cup opener against Jordan on June 17 to get their key attacking midfielder fit, and the coaching staff will be hoping the positive early indications prove accurate as preparations enter their final stage.
Assists with lone chance created
Baumgartner had an assist with his lone chance created while firing four shots (one on goal) during Saturday's 2-1 win over St. Pauli.
Analysis: Baumgartner set up Xaver Schlager in the 45th minute assisting the opening goal of the match while leading Leipzig with his four shots. The midfielder has two goal involvements to go along with 11 shots and two chances created over his last three starts.
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