Hoffenheim starts without Kramaric and Grillitsch
Zuzenhausen (dpa) – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has begun preparations for the new Bundesliga season without star striker Andrej Kramaric and returning player Florian Grillitsch. The duo was among the nine national players who were absent from the public training session in Zuzenhausen on Sunday. “They will be with us at the latest on the first day of the training camp,” said coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
On the other hand, new signing Julian Justvan from SC Paderborn made his first appearance in front of 600 fans. Austrian international Grillitsch returned to the Kraichgau after a year at Ajax Amsterdam and is expected to strengthen the TSG team as a leader. “We want to do better,” said goalkeeper and captain Oliver Baumann after the disappointing previous season, which saw an unexpected battle against relegation.
Sports director Alexander Rosen, who was also promoted to managing director last week, pointed out the nine departures, including Christoph Baumgartner to RB Leipzig, and said, “This already shows that the team will have a different face.”
Hoffenheim will play their first league match against local rivals SC Freiburg on August 19 or 20. A training camp in Kitzbühel is scheduled from July 15 to 22.
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How does coach Pellegrino Matarazzo plan to integrate Kramaric and Grillitsch into the team before the start of the training camp
Hoffenheim kicks off their preparations for the upcoming Bundesliga season, but two key players are notably absent. Star striker Andrej Kramaric and returning player Florian Grillitsch were among the nine national players who were not present at the public training session in Zuzenhausen. However, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo assures fans that the duo will join the team by the start of the training camp.
But it wasn’t all bad news for Hoffenheim, as new signing Julian Justvan made his debut in front of 600 enthusiastic fans. Grillitsch, an Austrian international, is set to make a strong contribution to the team’s performance after a year-long stint with Ajax Amsterdam. With a disappointing previous season that saw the team unexpectedly battling against relegation, goalkeeper and captain Oliver Baumann expresses their determination to do better this time around.
Sports director Alexander Rosen, who was recently appointed as managing director, acknowledges the departure of nine players, including Christoph Baumgartner to RB Leipzig. He emphasizes that these changes will bring a new identity to the team.
Hoffenheim’s first league match is scheduled against local rivals SC Freiburg on August 19 or 20. In the meantime, the team will head to Kitzbühel for a training camp from July 15 to 22.
“Exciting times ahead for Hoffenheim as they embrace change to bounce back from a disappointing season. Looking forward to seeing the new era unfold!”