TSG praise summer signings Chaves and Tabakovic after win: "We've stabilized."
Bosnian striker Haris Tabakovic - behind the likes of Adam Hlozek, Marius Bülter, and (potentially still) Mërgim Berisha on the TSG depth chart - may not be challenging for a regular starting role just yet.
It does nevertheless look to be case that Brazilian U23 international Arthur Chaves - contrary to all the skepticism in German footballing circles - may prove the missing link in the TSG defense.
| Arthur Chaves | Octavio Passos, Getty Images |
A win over an extremely pesky 1. FC Nürnberg in the Pokal last night proved enormously helpful for the perception that Bundesligsts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were destined for a season full of tumultuous change and crisis. Since the Sinsheim-based club installed a new sporting director and re-affirmed its commitment to head-coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, matters have begun stabilizing.
The Kraichgauer are undefeated in their last three league fixtures. Some of the more controversial summer transfers and out-of-form players have begun to pick up form, enabling Matarazzo to place actors in their more natural positions in a regular 3-4-1-2 system. Wednesday's victory served as something of a vindication for the club's recent ad-hoc club front-office, with both defender Arthur Chaves and striker Haris Tabakovic scoring.
Chavez' €6 million purchase from Portuguese second division side Academico Viseu on deadline day certainly raised more than a few eyebrows. The 30-year-old Tabakovic (for whom the TSG paid €3 million to acquire from Hertha) never even featured in the German top division prior to this season. Matarazzo remained absolutely ebullient in praising both players after last night's win.
“I'm extremely happy for him!," Matarazzo said of Chaves last night, "The way he flies into a header duel is exactly what we want to see.He really puts his back into it and slams it in: a goal of willpower! Arthur is doing a great job. He defends and plays simple balls. I don't expect anything more than that. He capped his performance with a goal, which I think is really good.”
“We are very proud of him and the path he is taking," TSG defender Anton Stach added with regard to Chavez, "You can tell that he is always striving to develop and improve. He defends with such passion, throws himself into everything and tries to win every tackle and not give up an inch. He's inspiring us at the back. After conceding so many goals at the start of the season, we've now stabilized.”
"[Tabakovic's] actions were all good," Matarazzo noted at the post-match presser, "He has a good presence about him and is strong in the air. A good game from him."