Baumgartner's rapid return presents Leipzig with a challenge against Haaland's ManCity
Christoph Baumgartner, who after his comeback on October 21 has made four short appearances, scored three goals and provided an assist in 87 minutes – an impressive ratio – and will be on the pitch on Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the home Champions‑League duel against ManCity, led by Haaland, live on Canal+.
Baumgartner's Return and Form
Since his comeback on October 21, the Leipzig legionnaire has made four short appearances. In just 87 minutes he scored three goals and provided an assist – an impressive ratio. Austrian FA coach Ralf Rangnick commented: “You can't come back much better from an injury” and nominated the 27‑year‑old for the upcoming international matches.
Baumgartner wants to celebrate his comeback starting‑eleven debut already on Wednesday in the Champions‑League home match against Manchester City, which will be broadcast live on Canal+ at 9 p.m. Manchester City have been considered an absolute nightmare opponent for Leipzig since March 14 2023, after the team suffered a 0‑7 defeat there – the worst in the club’s history. In that game Erling Haaland scored five goals for the English visitors.
Leipzig vs Manchester City
Leipzig’s defensive leader Willi Orban recalled: “He was always where the ball fell,” and added that Haaland is a special guy. Baumgartner and his Austrian colleague Nicolas Seiwald were not in the squad back then; they only moved to Leipzig the following summer. Today’s Bayern star Konrad Laimer had to play the full 90 minutes back then.
Leipzig urgently need points after three defeats in the first three Champions‑League matches. Coach Martin Demichelis will face his former club in Leipzig, with which he became English champion as a player in 2014. After the losses to Bayern Munich (1‑6) and Real Madrid (1‑4) in mid‑October, his team has recovered. The 2‑0 win over Schalke lifted Leipzig to fourth place in the Bundesliga, close to the top.
Manchester City, the English vice‑champion, have conceded eleven goals in the last six league games. Two defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton cost them the league lead, and Haaland wants to erase that in Leipzig. Coach Enzo Maresca said: “At the moment we are conceding many stupid goals that we could prevent,” and emphasized that the team is not happy.
Leipzig have won ten consecutive league matches at home across seasons, not only thanks to Baumgartner’s return but also thanks to Antonio Nusa’s form curve. Nusa impressed against Schalke with a goal and an assist and now faces his close friend Haaland. Gaute Larsen coached both Norwegians in their youth clubs – Nusa at Stabaek and Haaland at Bryne FK.
Larsen explained: “Antonio was the bigger talent for me,” and described Haaland as “very tall and thin, moved a bit like Bambi on the ice.” This has changed with Haaland’s physical development. It will be emotional in Dortmund, where former BVB defender Marc Bartra returns to his old ground with Betis Sevilla. During the bus attack in 2017 in Dortmund he suffered a broken spoke and wrist injuries – he was the only player who was physically harmed.