RB Leipzig will once again be without leading player Xaver Schlager for several weeks. The 27-year-old suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh while playing for the Austrian national team and will "miss several weeks", according to the Bundesliga club. It is the midfielder's third long absence this season following a cruciate ligament rupture and knee problems in the same leg.
"This new injury hits us very hard, especially Xaver himself. He worked extremely hard for his comeback and gave everything to be able to help us with his qualities at the end of the season," said sporting director Marcel Schäfer. According to reports, the injury does not yet mean Schlager is out for the season. Leipzig are currently in fifth place and fighting for fourth place and the associated qualification for the Champions League.
Travel to the national team - for 13 minutes of action
Schäfer also explained why Schlager traveled to the national team, although he had not played for weeks beforehand. "He was supposed to get his final match fitness with the national team," said the 40-year-old. "Of course, it's annoying that we have to report another injury after an international break."
A week ago, Schlager made a 13-minute appearance against Serbia. He did not play at all in the second leg of the Nations League play-offs. Schlager is currently negotiating a contract extension with Leipzig. His current contract expires in 2026 and the club would like to extend it this summer.
The striker was out of action until mid-November with a cruciate ligament rupture. After four Bundesliga appearances, Schlager suffered his next setback in preparation for the second half of the season. In a test match against Czech third-division side Most, he suffered renewed problems with the joint after a blow to the knee.
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