Baumgartner travels injured to ÖFB camp: Comeback start in Santa Barbara

Injury and surgery in Turku

For Baumgartner, the injury means a break of several months. As a result, he will miss his first World Cup as a player for Austria in 28 years. Under head coach Ralf Rangnick, the attacking midfielder was considered one of the most important pillars in the Austrian midfield.

Despite the forced break, Baumgartner does not want to let his team down. He will be on site during the tournament as a so-called "super fan" and provide the players with moral support at the very least. In addition, he is set to begin the first steps of his comeback at the ÖFB base camp in Santa Barbara.

Super fan and moral support in camp

The ÖFB team is preparing for the final tournament in the USA. The team's base camp is located in Santa Barbara. Baumgartner will travel to the camp on Wednesday and work on his rehabilitation there in coordination with RB Leipzig. The club and the association are coordinating the treatment closely.

The fact that Baumgartner is making the trip to North America at all underscores his bond with the team. Even though he will be missing on the pitch, his presence in the dressing room is meant to have an impact. The ÖFB spoke in this context of a sign of support for the team.

From the association's perspective, the injury is a severe setback for the sporting plans. Baumgartner had established himself in recent months as a fixed component of the attacking axis and was considered a tactically important player in the Rangnick system. His absence means a reshuffle in the starting XI planning.

Comeback plan with RB Leipzig

The fact that Baumgartner will still play a role in the USA is unusual. Normally, injured players stay at home or with their clubs during a major tournament in order to continue their rehab there. The ÖFB has deliberately opted for the variant of integrating the player into the team environment.

With the trip to Santa Barbara, the second phase of Baumgartner's recovery now begins. After the surgery in Turku, further examinations and physiotherapeutic measures are planned. The medical goal is to consistently monitor the healing process at the tendon's hip attachment.

The tournament in the USA begins in a few weeks. Baumgartner will follow his team's games up close and at the same time lay the foundation for his return to the pitch. The association sees his presence as a gain for the mood in the camp.