Well, the question is whether the Austrians would have sat around doing nothing in Italy or whether they would have chosen an opportune moment to attack and broken through French lines?
I suppose the corollary question is who gets the appointment instead of Bonaparte? It seems too early for Joubert, so would it have been Massena or Augereau (sp?) or would another political appointment have got it? And would they have done anything with it offensively if they had?
I don't think the butterflies can take wing beyond this question...
Best Regards
Grey Wolf