Even before the first kick-off, Hoffenheim midfielder Finn Ole Becker sustained an injury to his left knee and is out for the time being.
Setback: Finn Ole Becker has to take a break. IMAGO/TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
When the now obligatory first test match against regional league team Astoria Walldorf (7:1) kicked off on Saturday, TSG had already suffered the first absence of the new season. During the warm-up, Finn Ole Becker had injured his left knee and therefore only appeared on the match report sheet, but not on the pitch.
The training week also started without the left-footer, who instead went to see a specialist in Innsbruck, where more detailed examinations were to determine the extent of the injury. It has now been confirmed: the 24-year-old has suffered meniscus damage in his left knee and has already been operated on by Dr. Christian Fink. The joint does not appear to have suffered any further damage.
This would result in a forced break of a few weeks. Nevertheless, it is a bitter setback for Becker and the plans of coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. After a difficult first year of getting used to the team following his free transfer from FC St. Pauli in summer 2022, the midfielder had been getting better and better in the past season, and the next step towards becoming a regular and key player was planned for the upcoming season. This start will now begin with a time delay.
Becker is probably looking forward to this season for another reason too: after all, his former and training club St. Pauli has now also been promoted to the Bundesliga. On matchday 9 at the beginning of November, the Hamburg team will be making a flying visit to the Kraichgau.
Nsoki can’t get into his stride
After the cruciate ligament injury suffered by central defender Ozan Kabak, who was injured in early June while playing for the Turkish national team and missed the European Championships, Becker is Hoffenheim’s next problem child. But he is by no means the only one. Stanley Nsoki is also currently out of action; the central defender is struggling with pain in his left ankle. This means that the problems continue seamlessly for the Frenchman, who is already controversial due to his lack of consistency and is plagued by injuries.
Meanwhile, Muhammed Damar’s shoulder injury turned out to be less serious. The midfielder, who was recently loaned to second division club Hannover 96, was fouled in Walldorf and was awarded a penalty, fell awkwardly on his shoulder and was immediately substituted.
2024-07-16 15:17:55
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