Christoph Baumgartner: “Getting to Touch a Ball Is the Best Part of the Day”

Christoph Baumgartner is still watching RB Leipzig from the sidelines, but his recovery is beginning to enter a more encouraging phase, and his return could be particularly important for Martín Demichelis.

Baumgartner has been out since suffering a serious thigh injury while warming up for Austria shortly before the World Cup. An MRI confirmed that he would miss the tournament, bringing a particularly painful end to what had been an excellent individual season. The Austrian had finished the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign with 13 goals and eight assists, making him one of Leipzig's most productive attacking players.

That production is precisely why his absence matters.

Leipzig are heading into a new season with plenty of questions in attack. Yan Diomande has left for Real Madrid in a deal worth €125 million plus bonuses, while Assan Ouédraogo is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. The club also saw their attempt to sign Fisnik Asllani collapse after concerns during his medical. Meanwhile, the team has struggled for consistency during pre-season, losing 2-0 to Leeds United before their final warm-up against Bayern today.

That makes Baumgartner more than just another player returning from injury.

The Austrian gives Demichelis something Leipzig currently lacks: proven goal threat.

Last season, Baumgartner was one of Leipzig's most important attacking contributors, while his seven league assists also made him their leading provider, according to available season data.

His ability to play between the lines, attack the box, and arrive late in dangerous areas could therefore become a major asset for Demichelis once he is fit.

The frustrating part for Baumgartner is that he can see his teammates preparing for the new campaign without being able to join them. During the Red Bulls training camp in Saalfelden, he has been working separately with the rehabilitation staff, combining gym work with running exercises.

But there are signs of progress.

Baumgartner has recently returned to running, another important step after undergoing surgery following the injury.

He is also taking the process with the right mindset.

There is still no reason for Leipzig to rush him. Current reporting suggests he is unlikely to be available for the opening phase of the Bundesliga season, with a return after the first international break looking more realistic.

That may frustrate Baumgartner, but it could ultimately be the right approach.

For Demichelis, his eventual return could feel almost like a new signing. Leipzig are trying to replace the attacking output lost with Diomande's departure while dealing with injuries elsewhere, and Baumgartner has already shown that he can provide goals without being the team's primary striker.

For now, though, there is still work to do.

As Baumgartner put it:

For Leipzig, the hope is that those touches will soon turn into goals and assists again.