When the game between VfB and RB Leipzig (1:1) was blown, Stuttgart’s sports director Sven Mislintat (49) only knew one way: he ran straight to Atakan Karazor (25) and hugged him.
The VfB professional had just played his first few minutes after six weeks in custody in Ibiza. Only 16 days had passed since his release from prison. He only trained with the team for four days.
This lightning comeback came as a surprise to everyone!
Mainly because those responsible for VfB had announced in the days before that Karazor would probably not be ready to play until the end of September due to the training backlog. A deliberate hoax.
Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo: “I said something different two days ago because I wanted to keep Ata out of the fire a bit. I’m glad he’s back. His voice in the dressing room is important.”
Mislintat revealed that Karazor stunned everyone in the performance tests after his return: “Ata surprised the most with his values, was in top form.” The majority of the 46,000 fans called out Karazor’s name when he came on in the 90th minute, there was but also boos. “I didn’t hear them,” Mislintat claimed.
Karazor is still under investigation. An 18-year-old Spaniard accuses him and a friend of raping him. Karazor denies that, speaks of consensual sex. He was released on July 22 against registration requirements and a bail of 50,000 euros. Mislintat: “The legal position is clear. If that changes, we will comment again.”
Karazor is now training with the team and is allowed to play for VfB. Probably longer again soon.
