Baumgartner's Champions League comeback fuels Leipzig hopes

Christoph Baumgartner made his long‑awaited return for RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, coming on in the 78th minute and delivering an assist four minutes later. The Austrian had been sidelined by a serious muscle injury just before the World Cup finals, missing almost five months.

Leipzig's Champions League night

Leipzig faced Real Madrid and star coach Jose Mourinho in front of 73,000 spectators, ultimately losing 1‑4 after conceding the opening goal before half‑time. Earlier in the same evening Bayern Munich and Arsenal shared points in a 2‑2 draw.

Other fixtures saw Inter Milan beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1‑0 despite being a man down, while Lens were humbled 0‑3 by Club Brugge. Betis Sevilla earned a 1‑0 victory over Feyenoord and Aston Villa triumphed 3‑1 against Viking Stavanger under Austrian referee Sebastian Gishamer.

Baumgartner's emotional comeback

The ÖFB international, who had suffered the muscle tear shortly before the World Cup, entered the game in the 78th minute and set up Tidiam Gomis for Leipzig's equaliser in the 85th minute. His assist marked a personal milestone after an almost five‑month lay‑off.

Before Baumgartner's cameo, Bernardo Silva netted a deflected goal in the 44th minute after keeper Maarten Vandevoordt failed to claim the ball. Kylian Mbappe added a strike in the 82nd minute and Yan Diomande sealed the final tally in the 87th.

„Es war ein extrem emotionaler Tag für mich, nach so einer langen Zeit wieder dabei zu sein, es war wunderschön. In diesem Bewerb, bei diesem Gegner, in diesem Stadion. Es gibt nichts Cooleres. Es gibt auch nichts Schlimmeres für einen Fußballer so lange nicht dabei zu sein und eine Weltmeisterschaft zu verpassen.“

The remarks followed Leipzig's 1‑4 loss to Real Madrid.

Bayern had to work hard for their point, with Serge Gnabry creating the first clear chance. Martin Odegaard delivered a long pass to Eberechi Eze, whose finish evaded Konrad Laimer and forced a corner. Arsenal later equalised through a penalty by Harry Kane after Jurrien Timber's handball, before Declan Rice completed the 2‑2 scoreline.

The Champions League table shows Arsenal, nicknamed the Gunners, just ten minutes ahead of their rivals. Harry Kane scored from an Alphonso Davies run in the 35th minute, while Manuel Neuer and David Raya each made crucial saves from headers by Bruno Guimaraes and Dayot Upamecano respectively.