Ralf Rangnick has named twelve Bundesliga professionals for Austria's final Nations League group matches against Rep. Of Ireland and Israel. Christoph Baumgartner is back in the squad, while David Alaba misses out because of injury.
Rangnick's Bundesliga core
The call-up includes Baumgartner, Nicolas Seiwald, Konrad Laimer and Carney Chukwuemeka among the Bundesliga-based players. Rangnick is leaning heavily on that pool for Austria's last two group games, and the selection makes that pretty clear without needing any extra gloss.
Austria have no shortage of familiarity in the squad, but the headline is the balance Rangnick has chosen. Twelve Bundesliga professionals is a sizeable share of the group for two matches that close out the campaign.
Baumgartner's return and Alaba's absence
Baumgartner's recall is the most obvious individual storyline. SPORT1 reported that he returns to the national team for the first time after missing the World Cup through injury, and he has looked sharp in several short appearances for RB Leipzig.
The recent numbers around him are decent as well. He has three goals in his last five matches for Leipzig, and his recent average rating is 7.02 across that run. One of those goals came in the DFB Pokal, which fits the sense that he is arriving in better touch than when he last missed out for Austria.
Alaba's absence is simpler and more awkward for Rangnick. Austria lose their captain for the final group matches, and the injury leaves a gap the coach now has to cover against Ireland and Israel.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
