Hoeneß praises in-form Skov: "He just threw his whole heart into it."
Some unanticipated ankle problems kept German international David Raum out of Hoffenheim's starting XI against Hertha on Friday night.
For Denmark's Robert Skov, an unexpected opportunity was well utilized.
For Denmark's Robert Skov, an unexpected opportunity was well utilized.
| Robert Skov. | Photo: Hoffenheim |
It is such that the 25-year-old had not made a single start this season. That changed ion Friday night when new German international Raum had to withdraw with an ankle injury.
Pal Dardai's Hertha BSC proved the stronger team during much the opening quarter of an hour during Friday night's encounter. For a time, it appeared as if the Kraichgauer hosts were about to lose control of the match.
Skov then intervened. The Dane cut through on the left in the 19th, ultimately servicing Andrej Kramaric for the opening goal after Ihlas Bebou let the ball roll to the Croatian.
There might have been a little bit of luck involved, but this was not the case in the 31st. A very strong headed from Skov forced Hertha keeper Alexander Schwolow into an equally strong save.
Five minutes later, it was Skov again supplying the assist on the next TSG tally. Sebastian Rudy finished off a Skov effort that caromed off the post. TSG trainer Sebastian Hoeneß would leave the actor he had hitherto only used as a sub for the full 90 minutes.
"He just thre his whole heart into it," Hoeneß said of the match's key performer, "Skovi has done really well recently. He created a goal from that position against Kiel [in the Pokal] and he did it again today."
"He marched out there and had a lot of good actions going forward," Hoeneß continued, "he was also defensively stable. An absolute top performance that was a help in attaining the result."
One shall half to wait and see if Hoeneß' impression was strong enough for Skov to begin getting starts again. In addition to Raum and Bruun Larsen, Christoph Baumgartner occasionally starts on the left flank.
The performance nevertheless unquestionably made an impression on the current club trainer; who had been nowhere near as enamored with the Dane as previous head-coach Alfred Schreuder.
For some reason, the winger once purchased from FC Copenhagen for €10 million has not been seen on the right-wing for quite some time under Hoeneß' tenure. That being Skov's preferred side, it stands to reason that Hoeneß might at least consider deploying him there.