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Austria are facing minor injury worries over captain David Alaba and forward Christoph Baumgartner following their 1-0 win against Tunisia on Monday, though coach Ralf Rangnick has played down any serious concern.
Alaba, who has had a history of fitness issues in recent years, was substituted at half-time at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium after experiencing tightness in his leg, according to Reuters. Baumgartner, meanwhile, was ruled out of Austria's previous FIFA World Cup warm-up after reporting sharp groin pain during the pre-match warm-up. Speaking after the match, Rangnick said Alaba's change was purely precautionary, noting that he felt a slight tightness at half-time and the team opted not to take any risks. "We'll have to take another look at David. He felt a slight tightness in his leg at halftime. That's why we didn't take any risks," Rangnick told reporters after the game. "We still have to wait and see what's going on with Baumi," Rangnick said. "We won't know the severity of the injury until Tuesday. Hopefully, it's not too serious. He felt a sharp pain while taking a shot on goal. More likely in his hip flexor," the coach said, as quoted by Reuters. After the match, goalscorer Marcel Sabitzer told reporters he had spoken to Baumgartner, who said his withdrawal from the starting line-up was merely a precautionary measure. "He says he thinks it's not too serious. Baumgartner is very important for our game. We hope everything will be all right. We still have some time," said Sabitzer. Austria was reduced to 10 men for much of the contest following an early red card, which was their only warm-up match ahead of the World Cup starting next week. Austria begins their World Cup Group J campaign against Jordan on June 16. (ANI)
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