Kicker denies reports of certain Grillitsch-Hoffenheim split
Striker Marius Bülter and defensive midfielder/center back Florian Grillitsch will both be missing from the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim squad for the time being. On Monday, the Rhein-Neckar club confirmed injuries for both players on its social media feed. Grillitsch carries an ankle injury while Bülter picked up a muscle tendon injury in his thigh during the weekend win over Leipzig. The loss of Bülter is sure to sting. Bülter started all 11 league fixtures this season, scoring four goals and collecting two assists.
Grillitsch's absence from the TSG squad on Saturday afternoon fueled speculation that the Austrian international had been informed that he would play no major role in new head-coach Christian Ilzer's plans. Michael Pfeifer - the Hoffenheim correspondent for Germany's preeminent footballing publication - confirmed this rumor, yet also emphasized that Ilzer had not delivered his compatriot a categorical rejection.
According to Pfeifer, Grillitsch was merely informed of the competitive nature of the situation in midfield. Ilzer wishes to move Anton Stach back up permanently, likes the idea of potentially pairing Tom Bischof with Umut Tohumcu, and wishes give fresh looks to Dennis Geiger and Diadie Samassekou.
