Hoffenheim’s veteran has made an amazing development.
Ermin Bicakcic was on the pitch for a good hour against Dortmund after Ozan Kabak was injured.
IMAGO/sport photo pack
Who would have thought that just a few months or even weeks ago? TSG Hoffenheim have to get central defender Ozan Kabak off the field after just under half an hour, and who will come in? No, not about winter newcomer John Anthony Brooks, who was only on the bench for the first time since his commitment. No, not even summer newcomer Stanley Nsoki, who seems to have an extremely difficult time under Matarazzo and didn’t even appear in the squad against Dortmund.
It was Ermin Bicakcic whom Matarazzo gave confidence for the demanding task against the offensive power of Borussia. Even that Bicakcic can book as a small personal triumph. His stable performance afterwards even more so. Although the 33-year-old also had his adjustment problems and (like many of his colleagues) was not always up to par with the opponent’s game tempo, Bicakcic also won many duels, conquered many a ball thanks to good anticipation and also took away the opponent with far-sighted backward movement depth and space.
Hardly anyone had expected Bicakcic’s comeback
Anyone who had watched this fighter in December in a desperate attempt to gain a foothold even against lower-class opponents and to get into the rhythm of the game would not have thought such a development and increase possible. Bicakcic has actually reached a level suitable for the Bundesliga again, and in his case that is remarkable.
Because the Bosnian had not only suffered a cruciate ligament rupture at the advanced age of 30, but also needed almost two years to recover from it. The damaged knee joint rebelled again and again after too much strain, also because Bicakcic was in too much of a hurry and wanted too much of a good thing. Hardly anyone had expected Bicakcic’s comeback. His symbolic substitution by the then TSG coach Sebastian Hoeneß shortly before the end of the last matchday of the previous season (1:5 in Gladbach) was basically a farewell character.
Is the centre-back set to return to the starting XI?
Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that. Bicakcic never tired of assuring: “I’m attacking again.” And was smiled at for a long time. Even when his expiring contract, which was heavily performance-related, was extended by another year last summer, it seemed more to do with his qualities as a driving force in training and as a leader in the locker room.
That was the case at first. But in the new calendar year, the number of substitutions increases. On Saturday, Bicakcic posted his fourth, the longest test so far. If things continue like this, the old warhorse will soon even make a comeback in the Hoffenheim starting line-up.
Incidentally, Kabak, who was substituted early, was hit twice. “Ozan had a slight problem with his foot, I think it will be again until the game in Mainz,” hopes Coach Matarazzo, “but he wasn’t 100% up to scratch, he also felt weak, that was also part of the reason why he had to be replaced.” And if it’s not enough for the Mainz game: Bicakcic is ready.
