vs Hoffenheim (2)

Hoffenheim were currently charging toward second place in the league, led by Vedad Ibišević’s scoring prowess. This stood in stark contrast to Union Berlin, whose goals were spread evenly across the team.

‘Well. Union Berlin’s team structure is a little more ideal, but there’s nothing wrong with having one player go completely wild like Vedad Ibišević.’

After just eleven league matches, Vedad Ibišević had recorded fourteen league goals and four assists, putting him second in the league. It was safe to say he was at the peak of his form.

However, Hoffenheim’s incredible run would come to an end after Vedad Ibišević suffered an injury. During a friendly played over the winter break, Vedad Ibišević tore a cruciate ligament. Not only did that rule him out for the second half of the season, but his form declined afterward, affecting the following season as well.

Anyway, once Vedad Ibišević was out, Hoffenheim’s position in the standings began to plummet.

It was safe to say that this was the limitation of a team that relied on a player rather than its manager.

No matter how good a player’s condition was, it was only natural for it to decline after an injury. Maintaining top form even after suffering an injury was something only freaks like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could do.

‘……Come to think of it, Messi has never suffered a major injury like a cruciate ligament tear, has he?’

Considering how he had remained fine despite taking murderous tackles on a regular basis, Lionel Messi seemed to have a body made of steel as well.

‘Is it because his legs are short?’...