Schlager to miss Euros with ACL tear
The injury that forced Austrian international Xaver Schlager off the pitch in last night's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim has unfortunately been confirmed to be an ACL tear. The news obviously hurts Schlager's club somewhat as the 26-year-old had formed a tightly bonded midfield partnership with Amadou Haidara during RB Leipzig's recent successful league run.
Leipzig have nevertheless essentially achieved their goals for the season. The nature of Schlager's injury truly stings for Ralf Rangnick's Austrian national football team. Already maybe headed into this summer's Euros without captain and former FC Bayern München star David Alaba, Rangnick and the ÖFB will certainly miss one of their best players.
This will be the second major injury of Schlager's career. The 43-times-capped international also had to fight his way back from an ACL rupture (in his other knee) while playing for VfL Wolfsburg in 2021. RB sporting director Rouven Schröder expressed his sympathy for Schlager, noting that the player "won't be able to crown a spectacular season."