Baumgartner After His Comeback: “Far From 100 Percent”

After months of disappointment, grueling rehab, and a shattered World Cup dream, Christoph Baumgartner is back on the big soccer stage. But following his emotional comeback with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, the Austrian national team player still feels he is far from his best form.

“I’m definitely still a long way from 100 percent when it comes to playing a full 90 minutes,” the 27-year-old said in an interview on the club’s website. After four and a half months of rehab, Baumgartner made his return on Wednesday in the Champions League against Real Madrid (1–4).

The long forced break due to a thigh muscle injury was also a major psychological challenge for Baumgartner. What made it particularly bitter: Because of his injury, he missed the World Cup. “There’s never a good time to get injured, but to do so in the very last game before a World Cup—which is especially meaningful for us Austrians because we haven’t been there in so long—made it extremely tough,” the attacking midfielder said.

Baumgartner’s “big goal” by the end of the year

For months, the Leipzig player worked hard in the weight room to prepare for his return. That made the moment when he finally stepped back onto the field at the legendary Bernabéu Stadium all the more emotional. Even the bus ride to the stadium was very moving for him. “On that day, for once, I was able to cope with the loss a little better than usual,” Baumgartner admitted.

Now the vice-captain wants to fight his way back into the starting lineup step by step. “My big goal by the end of the year is to get back into top shape and help the team,” Baumgartner said.