When Hertha BSC come to TSG Hoffenheim, it also means a reunion with Ishak Belfodil. In the Kraichgau, the Franco-Algerian experienced a story with highs – and bitter setbacks, which did not end well in the end.
Two who sought and found each other in the summer of 2018 and are long gone from Hoffenheim were sitting together at a hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the time. Vincenzo Grifo, long since a top performer again at SC Freiburg, and Belfodil. The Italian translated for the multilingual attacker during his “inaugural meeting” with the journalists at the training camp. Belfodil’s message at the time was that he was wrong to have the image of a wandering bird, even though his career to date, with numerous changes of club, gave him that impression. He did indeed settle in well, especially in the second half of the 2018/19 season, when the brawny attacker seemed to have arrived at Hoffenheim. He scored twelve of his 16 league goals in the second half of this season, which did not end blissfully, however, but with a serious injury on matchday 34 in Mainz.
The beginning of the end of a relationship that had started well. At first, the now 29-year-old returned to the game without surgery, but the injured knee reacted. Then the doctors had to resort to the knife, and the relationship of trust with the club was destroyed. Belfodil himself said this publicly, the accusations weighed heavily, the Algerian national player spoke of misdiagnosis and pressure. That was at the end of 2019, TSG director of professional football Alexander Rosen contradicted, but at the same time also tried to build bridges. The professional did stay and it certainly appeared that both sides could find their way back to a good continuation of the liaison. However, Belfodil was no longer really happy in Kraichgau.
“Here and there it was a bit unfortunate, the knot just didn’t burst in the game. “
SEBASTIAN HOENESS
“It’s complex,” says Sebastian Hoeneß when asked about the case. The coach only came in 2020, so he had nothing to do with the previous history and can therefore credibly assure: “We had a good relationship.” According to Hoeneß, the fact that the highly gifted player did not get back on track under him is due to a complex overall situation. The long injury and, as a consequence, understandably no physical top level at first, a COVID infection and again and again minor injuries. “He was diligent, trained well,” praises Hoeneß. “Here and there it was a bit unfortunate, the knot just didn’t burst in the game.” Unlike in 2019, when it burst and Belfodil scored at times like a conveyor belt. For the coach, the high level of competition, especially in the offensive, also played a role. “At the end of the day, he decided to make a change,” said Hoeneß, showing understanding.
It is rather unlikely that he will start for Hertha on Friday evening at TSG, who are still hoping for a “free test” of Christoph Baumgartner, who recently tested positive for corona. And yet it should be a special evening for Belfodil, with mixed feelings.
