Baumgartner Takes Major Step Towards Leipzig Comeback

Christoph Baumgartner has finally returned to parts of RB Leipzig team training, 128 days after the injury that cost him the World Cup and the beginning of the new season.

The 27-year-old joined his teammates for sections of Tuesday's session at Cottaweg, marking his most significant step yet towards a competitive return.

For Martín Demichelis, the timing could hardly be more welcome.

Leipzig Have Missed Their Top Scorer

Baumgartner has not played since suffering a serious thigh injury while warming up for Austria's friendly against Tunisia on June 1.

The subsequent diagnosis and surgery ruled him out of the World Cup and began a rehabilitation process that has now lasted more than four months. Roundtable reported at the time that the injury could keep him sidelined for as long as five months.

The club have felt his absence.

Baumgartner produced the best Bundesliga season of his career in 2025/26, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in 33 appearances. That made him both Leipzig's leading scorer and joint leading provider in the league.

Those numbers have been particularly difficult to replace after Yan Diomande's departure for Real Madrid during the summer.

A problem RBL Roundtable highlighted during Baumgartner's rehabilitation. Demichelis began the season without a player who provides goals from midfield, runs into the penalty area, and is another threat behind the striker.

Baumgartner Has Had To Watch Leipzig Struggle

That has made the past few weeks particularly frustrating for the Austrian.

Die Roten Bullen have won three and lost three of their opening six competitive matches under Demichelis, with the 2-0 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen sending them into the international break needing a response.

He believes he could have helped.

For now, that contribution has instead come away from the pitch. As Leipzig's vice-captain, Baumgartner has remained involved with the squad and in regular communication with Demichelis throughout his rehabilitation.

He is also expected to participate in team meetings ahead of Saturday's important Bundesliga meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt.

No Rush For The Comeback

Tuesday's development does not mean Baumgartner is ready to face Frankfurt.

Leipzig is deliberately increasing his workload gradually after such a lengthy absence, and BILD reports that supporters will still have to wait for his competitive comeback even though a fuller return to team training is expected this month.

That patience matters.

Leipzig are about to enter a demanding sequence against Frankfurt, PSV Eindhoven, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but bringing Baumgartner back too quickly would risk losing him again.

What Demichelis needs is the Baumgartner Leipzig had before the injury: fit, decisive and coming off the most productive Bundesliga season of his career.

For the first time in 128 days, he is back alongside his teammates.