Marcel Sabitzer Misses ÖFB Team in Nations League Playoff Against Serbia

Marcel Sabitzer's club, Borussia Dortmund, confirmed after an MRI examination on Sunday evening that fears of a cruciate ligament tear were not confirmed. According to ÖFB and BVB, Sabitzer will initially undergo a four-week rehab training due to a knee injury. If it had been a cruciate ligament tear, his season would have had to end prematurely.

Sabitzer Missing from ÖFB Team After Collision with Baumgartner

Sabitzer twisted his right knee awkwardly on Saturday in the league match at his former club RB Leipzig (0:2) during a clearance attempt against national team colleague Christoph Baumgartner after a collision with his teammate Pascal Groß. According to German media reports, a drawer test was conducted on the field for preliminary clarification of a possible cruciate ligament tear. Sabitzer was then substituted in the 33rd minute, supported by two staff members, in tears. He completed the return journey to the Ruhr area on crutches.

No Immediate Replacement After Marcel Sabitzer's Absence

Further details on the exact diagnosis were not made public by BVB and ÖFB on Sunday. However, Sabitzer will definitely miss the play-off duels for a return to League A of the Nations League against Serbia on Thursday in Vienna and on Sunday in Belgrade. ÖFB team coach Ralf Rangnick initially refrained from nominating a replacement. Sabitzer has scored 20 goals in 87 international matches for Austria. However, the midfielder, who turns 31 on Monday, has not yet scored any points for Dortmund this season.

Alaba Set for Comeback for ÖFB Team

ÖFB captain David Alaba made his comeback for Real Madrid in January after a complicated knee injury he sustained at the end of 2023. Unlike Sabitzer, the defensive star could play for Austria against Serbia for the first time in 16 months. Xaver Schlager is also in the squad, but according to Rangnick, he is only expected to make brief appearances. The 27-year-old from RB Leipzig has not played a competitive match this year due to a new knee procedure following his cruciate ligament tear suffered last May.

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(APA/Red)

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