Florian Grillitsch was missing from the squad for the great debut of the new Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer on Saturday against Leipzig (4:3). The 29-year-old man is believed to have been injured twice.
His sporting future probably does not lie in Kraichgau: Florian Grillitsch.IMAGO/Nord Photo
According to reports, Florian Grillitsch should be part of the TSG squad against Leipzig. Although he is not in the top ten in the usual leading role. But after the last training session, according to coach Christian Ilzer, an injury to the deltoid ligament in the ankle, which had plagued the 29-year-old before, returned again. A completely credible version and therefore not a false alibi, even if not only Grillitsch’s leg but also his pride could have been injured.
During the week, perspective discussions were also held with Grillitsch, on Wednesday with sporting director Andreas Schicker, and the following day with Ilzer. The midfielder, who was already deployed in the middle of the back three, learned from his two colleagues that his prospects in the new system and playing style are not exactly happy and that it will be difficult to maintain his current status. Although this is tough for those who have been judged in this way, there can be no question of categorical rejection, which made the rounds quickly.
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In the medium term, it will surely lead to an early separation, since the Austrian national player cannot and does not want to jeopardize his prospects in the national selection. This has nothing to do with disrespecting Grillitsch the player and the person. However, the profile of this footballer does not suit the needs of the new coach, the position and the game idea.
On Saturday he quickly deleted the position in the middle of a three-man chain and changed to a four-man chain. Ilzer pushed Anton Stach, who had been specially retrained by his predecessor Pellegrino Matarazzo, into the defensive midfield – recently Grillitsch’s territory alongside young star Tom Bischof. So it will be tight there, especially since there are other options in Umut Tohumcu, Dennis Geiger and Diadie Samassekou.
In addition, Grillitsch’s style of play, which is more focused on possession of the ball, makes it more difficult to integrate under Ilzer, who – as was easy to see on Saturday - relies on quick and vertical running with few touches and on strong and dynamic players. The elegant and confident Grillitsch tends to carry the ball further, open the ball up several times and play wider or even further back than would be required going forward. In addition, at 29 years of age, the veteran is now at an age at which increased rates of development price are quite likely. So an exit can be expected before the end of the contract in 2026, whether in the coming winter or summer depending on the market.
Until then, Grillitsch could still get assignments and promote himself under Ilzer, even if it wasn’t all as usual. When the leg injury subsided. Basically, a long but not always smooth collaboration between the TSG and the technician is coming to an end.
In Hoffenheim, Grillitsch, who arrived from Bremen on a free transfer, took the next step in his career. However, the step planned for an even more famous club proved difficult. When the opportunity arose in the summer of 2021 with AC Milan trying to buy Grillitsch out of his expiring contract for almost ten million euros, Hoffenheim declined.
Grillitsch eventually left on a free transfer and, after several failed negotiations with various clubs, joined Ajax Amsterdam under former TSG coach Alfred Schreuder. But things didn’t go as planned in the Netherlands either; in the summer of 2023, Grillitsch returned to Kraichgau – also on a free transfer.
How might a change in clubs benefit Florian Grillitsch’s career ambitions and opportunities?
Interview: Time.news Editor with Football Expert on Florian Grillitsch’s Situation at Hoffenheim
Editor: Welcome to our Time.news interview! Today we have sports analyst and football expert, Dr. Anna Schmidt, here to discuss the recent developments surrounding Florian Grillitsch at Hoffenheim. Anna, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to talk about football, especially regarding players who are at a crucial turning point in their careers.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Grillitsch was notably absent during Hoffenheim’s exciting 4-3 victory against Leipzig. Reports suggest he is dealing with a recurring injury. How serious do you think his situation is both physically and professionally?
Dr. Schmidt: It seems quite serious on both fronts. The injury to his deltoid ligament has exacerbated his prospects to play regularly. In the highly competitive nature of football, being sidelined not only affects a player’s physical attributes but also their mental resilience. For a player like Grillitsch, who has ambitions of being part of the national team, this injury could jeopardize those dreams.
Editor: You’re right. With the new coach, Christian Ilzer, implementing a different system, Grillitsch’s playing style appears to be at odds with the team’s needs. Can you explain how his style contrasts with Ilzer’s tactical approach?
Dr. Schmidt: Absolutely. Grillitsch’s game revolves around ball possession, which emphasizes retaining control in the midfield. However, Ilzer’s tactics seem to favor a more dynamic and possibly faster-paced style, which includes a shift in positioning from a three-man to a four-man defense. This adjustment effectively reduces Grillitsch’s opportunities to thrive in his usual role, especially with the competition from other skilled midfielders like Anton Stach and Tom Bischof.
Editor: It sounds like a tough situation for him. You mentioned perspective discussions between Grillitsch and the sporting director Andreas Schicker, as well as Coach Ilzer. What do you think these talks signal for his future at Hoffenheim?
Dr. Schmidt: The discussions likely indicate that the club is being transparent about Grillitsch’s position within the current squad dynamics. With Ilzer’s shift in tactics, it seems clear that Grillitsch doesn’t fit into that immediate vision. This might very well lead to an early separation as both sides look for what’s best for their futures. For Grillitsch, staying in a position that doesn’t align with his capabilities could harm his chances with the national team, so he may need to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Editor: That’s a very insightful perspective. What implications could this have for Hoffenheim if Grillitsch were to leave?
Dr. Schmidt: Losing Grillitsch might create a gap in experience, considering he has been a reliable player in various roles. However, it could also present an opportunity for younger talents to step up. The existing midfield competition could streamline the team’s chemistry under Ilzer’s new vision, focusing on players who better fit his tactical requirements. This might strengthen Hoffenheim in the long run, though it could take some time for those players to find their rhythm.
Editor: if Grillitsch were to leave, what kind of clubs do you think would be interested in him, given his skill set and experience?
Dr. Schmidt: Given his ball possession skills and versatile playstyle, I’d say he might attract interest from mid-tier teams in top leagues who emphasize control and tactical flexibility. Clubs in Austria, as well as those in the Bundesliga looking to strengthen their midfield, could also consider him a valuable asset. His ability to read the game and contribute both defensively and offensively can still make him a sought-after player.
Editor: Thank you, Anna. This has been a very enlightening discussion about Florian Grillitsch’s current situation and how it might unfold. We appreciate your expert insights!
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me! It’s a fascinating topic, and I look forward to seeing how it all plays out.