TSG Hoffenheim
Julian Nagelsmann has his work cut out for him if he hopes to lead TSG Hoffenheim to challenge for the Bundesliga crown. Unlike the other top clubs in Germany, his side didn’t do much strengthening over the summer break. Instead, the losses of a few key players mean he heads into this season with a weaker side than the one at his disposal last go around.
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The club’s top scorer from the last campaign, Mark Uth, left on a free, while their best player, Serge Gnabry, returned to Bayern Munich after his one-year stint on loan. New signings Leonardo Bittencourt and Vincenzo Grifo will hope to take over from Gnabry as versatile attacking options, but it remains to be seen how effective either will be in that role.
Andrej Kramaric will be expected to bear much of the goal-scoring burden, with help from veteran Adam Szalai and young talent Joelinton. Hoffenheim’s midfield and defense, meanwhile, largely goes unchanged, and Oliver Baumann retains his place in goal.
On paper, Hoffenheim’s squad is nowhere near being talented enough to challenge for the Bundesliga title. And in reality, it isn’t. However, Julian Nagelsmann has proven time and again his ability to make something out of nothing.
That they’re playing in their first ever Champions League campaign won’t make matters any easier. But if Hoffenheim are to find any success this season, it will undoubtedly stem from the tactical genius of manager Julian Nagelsmann.