Axel Leitner has suffered another serious knee injury.

Bad news for Obermais-Crack: "Everyone is sad"

In March 2025, Axel Leitner suffered a cruciate ligament tear while playing for FC Obermais. After many hours of grueling rehabilitation and intensive training, the forward was ready to embark on his first Serie D season. But it wasn't to be.

August 07, 2026

From: cst

“Training is going well, we’re working hard. But we’re also sad. The news of Axel’s injury has affected us all,” said Obermais coach Flavio Toccoli regarding the current state of preseason training. The coach sympathizes with his striker. Leitner has suffered another cruciate ligament tear and will be sidelined for an extended period once again. The injury occurred during the friendly match against Virtus Bozen last Saturday.

After suffering a serious injury in the cup match against Tscherms Marling in the spring of 2025, Leitner, from Bolzano, missed the entire first Serie D season. The 24-year-old gradually returned to training in the spring and had made a strong impression in preseason preparations. "He could definitely have helped us. That's why the injury is doubly bitter," said Toccoli. Leitner's injury means the FCO coach is missing an option in attack: "It's a shame, because he's a South Tyrolean player with potential for the league. Unfortunately, these kinds of stories happen in football."

Injury concerns during preseason

Leitner isn't the only player currently sidelined with an injury at Obermais. Alex Demetz is suffering from a partial cruciate ligament tear. His fellow defender, Marco Paulmichl, is struggling with groin problems and doesn't know how long he'll be out. Additionally, Simon Larcher has only just returned to training after recovering from surgery.