Bundesliga News

Germany: Bundesliga
FT
2 - 0
(0 - 0)
Mainz 05
Hoffenheim
L. Jae-Sung (79), M. Niakhate (83)

Hoeneß says Che "not ready" for starting XI, Svensson already trusts Burgzorg

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

Even if several key defensive actors are missing due to injury, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim trainer Sebastian Hoeneß declared Saturday too soon to introduce new acquisition Justin Che into the starting XI. 

Meanwhile, Hoeneß' opposite member noted that he already trusted one of his new additions quite a bit. 
Sebastian Hoeness.
Sebastian Hoeness.
Sebastian Hoeneß suddenly finds himself short of a lot of defenders ahead of a league clash with FSV Mainz 05 this weekend. Pavel Kaderabek, Kevin Akpoguma, and Chris Richards have all been ruled out with injury. The loss of Kaderabek and Akpoguma wouldn't be so bad if the TSG trainer wasn't also missing several other options (Robert Skov, Marco John, and Ermin Bicakcic) who could fill in at the wingback positions.


Richards--irrefutably one of the team's best defensive leaders--shall certainly count as a tough loss. Hoeneß nevertheless made it clear that he entertained no thoughts about throwing Richards' fellow US international Justin Che into the mix immediately.

"For him, a spot in the starting XI simply comes too early," Hoeneß noted at his Thursday presser, "He hasn't had enough practice and I'd be doing him no favors by throwing him in."

Hoeneß noted that U23 players Noah König and Gabriel Haider had trained with the senior team during the break and were ready if need be. A change to the normal back-three seems likely, particularly with Hoeneß emphasizing the need to "get creative and adapt" when speaking to reporters.

In terms of the Hoffenheim's opponent, it's not very likely at all that Bo Svensson of FSV Mainz 05 plans on throwing new acquisition Delano Burgzorg into the XI immediately. The Mainzer trainer nevertheless dropped strong hints that the Dutchman may make an appearance off the bench.

"I trust him a lot already," Svensson noted in his parallel press conference, "Watching him this week in training, I can see how he will help us a lot. In terms of the total package, we don't have a similar player."


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