The press conference ahead of the game against TSG Hoffenheim began with negative news for everyone associated with SCF. Philipp Lienhart requires a groin operation. When asked about a possible return date, Christian Streich said: “We hope that it won’t be long. Six weeks maybe, possibly slightly sooner.”

The coaching staff received this information on Thursday morning. “He wasn’t able to deal with high strain. We were already apprehensive and tried to deal with the issue conservatively at first,” SC’s head coach explained. The Austrian centre-back was in the squad for the game against Union Berlin last Saturday. “We’ll see what we can do now – whether we can still get someone in on loan, loan someone with an option to buy or just sign somebody. We’re discussing all options and we won’t react hastily or do anything rash.”

Höfler an option at centre-back

Manuel Gulde played next to Matthias Ginter at centre-back in the 0-0 draw against Union Berlin. “Manuel is very reliable, tactically smart, can read a game and is also good technically,” said Streich. Chicco Höfler, who is set to return from a one-game suspension, is also an option in this position.

Kenneth Schmidt, who has been struggling with problems with his abdominal muscles for several weeks, hasn’t got any better. “We’ll take a look at him. You always want to be conservative at first, Streich explained. “Sometimes you get to the point when you have to consider whether an operation makes sense.”

800th Bundesliga game in SC’s history

The first game of the second half of the season against Hoffenheim is SCF’s 800th game in their Bundesliga history. A special milestone is also awaiting Vincenzo Grifo: He could make his 250th competitive for SCF on Saturday. “That’s a lot of games from a very good player, who has been instrumental here for many years,” Streich said, discussing this landmark. “He’s a good guy who does a lot for the team, became an international footballer here and has achieved things that many wouldn’t have thought he would be capable of doing. 

Grifo made 24 competitive appearances for TSG Hoffenheim. His former club have been particularly consistent away from home this season, with only Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern München picking up more points away from home. “They are so good in transition and have lots of quick players. They are also good in possession. Hoffenheim are a really well set-up team,” emphasised Streich, whose team are seventh with 25 points, which is one more point than TSG, who are currently eighth.

Photo: Achim Keller