Benjamin Henrichs has taken an important step on the way back at RB Leipzig. The defensive all-rounder was on the pitch in an internal training game for the first time in over a year at the training camp in Portugal and gained around 25 minutes of match practice.
The 28-year-old tore his Achilles tendon in December 2024 and had to sit out for months. Now he was allowed to play under competitive conditions again for the first time, albeit in a measured manner. “A year ago I couldn’t even walk, now I’m back on the pitch,” said Henrichs Sky-Microphone facilitates. The most important thing for him was to get through the training game without any problems.
The 19-time national player is correspondingly optimistic about the next steps. When asked about a possible return to the matchday squad for the Bundesliga restart at FC St. Pauli, Henrichs replied with a smile: “Well, as far as I’m concerned this weekend, but unfortunately I won’t decide that.” He has received clearance for the training game and now hopes to be eligible for league play again soon.
Coach Werner braked last
Coach Ole Werner recently consciously curbed these hopes. The RB coach doesn’t want to create any time pressure and made it clear that they should wait a few more weeks. For Werner, the most important thing is that Henrichs feels confident in training and can master the next levels of stress without setbacks. The athletic and medical teams will remain closely involved in the coming period.
It therefore seems unlikely that there will be enough for the squad nomination that Henrichs was hoping for at the weekend. But one thing is clear: With his comeback in the internal training game, Henrichs has achieved an important milestone and has come a lot closer to returning to everyday life in the Bundesliga.
LIGAINSIDER AVERAGE GRADE in the last FOUR years
