Against Leipzig, the TSG captain is celebrated by the crowd even without playing, but it may still take until his comeback
Before kick-off, during the game, after the final whistle. Again and again on Saturday, “Benni-Hübner “ ovations rang through the Arena in Sinsheim. A long 512 days after his last game for TSG, Hoffenheim’s captain made his first appearance in the matchday line-up.
The centre-back’s last appearance saw the 2019/20 season just come to an end. Back then, TSG had triumphed 4-0 in Dortmund on the final matchday and entered the Europa League. Hübner was substituted seven minutes before the final whistle of the match, which had long since been decided. To date, his last game for Hoffenheim.
Ankle injury and an undetected torn inner ligament
One year, four months and 25 days later, Hübner, who was missing due to a complex injury to his left ankle (mainly an undetected torn inner ligament for a long time) was now enjoying his return to the team circle, visible to everyone, in match action. The 32-year-old visibly enjoyed the long-missed routines and the contact with his colleagues and the fans. Hübner repeatedly waved and applauded in the direction of the Südkurve, who loudly demanded the substitution of the veteran in the final phase of the supposedly decided game against RB (2:0).
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß therefore had to reassess the state of affairs. “We’re all happy that he’s back with us, “ the 39-year-old assured, “you have to know that he might not have been in the squad if we hadn’t had so many injuries, because it’s actually still a tad too early. “
It would have been an even nicer story if he had been substituted, but we were playing a Bundesliga game against Leipzig, so in the end it’s about winning.
Finally, Hübner’s compulsory break was extremely long, and he has also only been doing the full extent of training for a few weeks. “But when we have the opportunity to have him very close to the team, then I do that because he simply has an effect. That is noticeable since he is now back in training and he is in the dressing room,” reports Hoeneß, who had also confirmed Hübner as captain for the current season despite his foreseeable absence. So this was more of a taster session for Hübner. “It would have been an even nicer story if he had been substituted, but we were playing a Bundesliga game against Leipzig, so in the end it’s about winning,” Hoeneß explained, “I’m sure he sees it that way as well. “
It is therefore not automatic that Hübner will now be back in the line-up on a regular basis. But possible. Under normal circumstances, however, it will probably be a while before he actually makes his comeback on the pitch. After the match against Leipzig, however, TSG not only celebrated the convincing victory. But also Hübner and his next step towards normality. “In the dressing room there was a very warm and emotional applause and a few words from him,” Hoeneß revealed, “that was something special.” No wonder after 512 days.
