- Hoffenheim secure Hlozek: an exhilarating triumph preceding the league commencement
With the Bundesliga approaching swiftly, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is still working on finding their groove and formation. Their tough 2-2 draw against Würzburger Kickers in the DFB-Pokal's opening round, which required a penalty shootout to determine the winner, showcases the team's challenging preparation. Despite no player openly criticizing their situation, it's apparent that they've had a tough time getting ready.
In an attempt to boost their squad, Hoffenheim made the most significant signing in their club's history. The Czech national striker Adam Hlozek, previously a backup player at Bayer Leverkusen, joined the team for an estimated 18 million euros plus bonuses. This amount surpasses Mergim Berisha's transfer fee, who joined from FC Augsburg the previous summer.
Hlozek is expected to contribute to TSG's success right away
In the week leading up to the league opener against Holstein Kiel, Hlozek put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Hoffenheim. Temporary sporting director Frank Kramer had kind words for the newcomer, praising Hlozek as a strong footballer with excellent agility, physicality, technical skills, and tactical understanding. He said, "With Adam, we've gained a striker who can assist our team immediately."
Currently, Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's team is in desperate need of help. Key departures, including national player Maximilian Beier (to Borussia Dortmund) and Wout Weghorst (returning to FC Burnley on loan), as well as Ihlas Bebou's knee injury, have left sizable gaps in Hoffenheim's Europa League run.
However, their clash against the Regionalliga side Würzburger Kickers saw some positive developments. Berisha, who had been out for nine months due to a cruciate ligament rupture, returned to the field as a substitute and immediately sparked some excitement. This, however, was not enough to carry Hoffenheim to a victory, resulting in a 2:2 draw after 120 minutes.
A ticket to glory with a blunder
Luca Philipp, who stepped in for the starting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, ultimately clinched the win in a 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Würzburg. However, there was a costly mistake on his part. In the 11th minute, he allowed a harmless back pass from Kevin Akpoguma to slip under his foot, giving Enes Kuc the chance to open the scoring for Würzburg.
"It was a grueling victory," Matarazzo admitted afterwards – his preparation was hampered by management's exodus and delayed transfer activities. "Certainly, it's a topic," said goalscorer Marius Bülter, but also acknowledged that the poor performance had little to do with the circumstances. "When it's time to earn points, we need to focus."
The team understands that a few more reinforcements are on the way. "It would have been better if they had arrived earlier. We'll manage," explained the 31-year-old. "We're all thrilled as the Bundesliga kicks off, and the focus shifts back to football rather than peripheral matters."
After securing Adam Hlozek as a signed player, Hoffenheim's coach, Pellegrino Matarazzo, expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "With Adam, we've gained a striker who can assist our team immediately."
Despite their challenging preparations and several key departures, Hoffenheim managed to secure a 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Würzburger Kickers in their DFB-Pokal match, with Luca Philipp clinching the win despite a costly mistake earlier in the game.
