Without Leon Avdullahu, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will have to fight for their Champions League place in the Bundesliga top match at RB Leipzig. As the Kraichgau club announced, the Kosovo international suffered a muscle injury in the adductor area. According to initial reports, the defensive midfielder will miss several weeks and therefore also his country's upcoming World Cup play-off semi-final against Slovakia next week.
"This is a serious loss because he plays a very central role in the balance and build-up play, as well as in defense. It's a key position," said coach Christian Ilzer ahead of the game in Saxony on Friday evening (20:30/Sky). Accordingly, he said, he had been thinking hard during the week to find solutions. One could be Albian Hajdari, who has certainly offered himself in training. But Wouter Burger or Grischa Prömel are also alternatives.
In Leipzig, Hoffenheim want to hold on to third place. The Saxons, on the other hand, are waiting to challenge the Kraichgauers for third place with a win. A win would put TSG six points between themselves and their immediate rivals, while a defeat would leave them level on points. It is no coincidence that Ilzer is talking about an important game in the battle for a Champions League place.
