HOFFENHEIM NEWS

Benjamin Hubner - Still out Saturday Hubner (ankle) will not be an option versus FC Augsburg on Saturday.

Impact Considering Hubner hasn't played since June 27, 2020 and missed the entire season last year, fantasy players should probably view him as indefinitely sidelined. Given his extended absence, Hubner will likely make a substitute appearance or two before jumping back into consideration for the starting XI.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ermin Bicakcic - Still sidelined with knee issue Bicakcic (knee) will remain on the shelf for Saturday's clash with FC Augsburg.

Impact Bicakcic hasn't appeared in a game for the club since Sept. 27 versus Bayern Munich and is approaching a full year on the sidelined due to his knee problem. At this point, the fact that Bicakcic still doesn't have a timeline to return to the pitch should be a huge red flag for fantasy players.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Grillitsch - Unavailable Saturday Grillitsch has been ruled out against Augsburg on Saturday with a muscular injury after manager Sebastian Hoeness told reporters, "Florian Grillitsch is an important player in the...

Impact Grillitsch started 15 of the club's last 17 outings last year and should be a mainstay in the starting XI once given the all-clear. In the meantime, Dennis Geiger and Angelo Stiller are both options to replace Grillitsch on the pitch, including Saturday's clash with Augsburg.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

American Joe Scally shines on Gladbach debut in German Cup

American teen Joe Scally has made his debut for Borussia Mönchengladbach and helped the team to a 1-0 win over former heavyweight Kaiserslautern in the first round of the German Cu...

AUGUST 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diadie Samassekou - In training Samassekou is back in training after testing positive for COVID-19.

Impact Samassekou missed nearly a month of pre-season following his positive test, but is back training with the team. The midfielder should still be available for the season opener, despite the positive test in July.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Oliver Baumann - Back in training Baumann has returned to training with the team, after being sidelined for the end of last season.

Impact Baumann suffered inflammation of the pubic bone and is now back in full team training. When healthy Baumann will be the nailed on starter between the posts.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Akpoguma - Active in friendlies Akpoguma has been active in pre-season friendlies and is ready to go for the new season.

Impact Akpoguma had his season shut down with a thigh injury but appears healthy and ready to go. The defender, if healthy, will be a key piece of the starting XI.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Havard Nordtveit - Picks up thigh injury in preseason Nordtveit returned from a foot injury early in preseason, but he suffered a new thigh injury in training, reports kicker.

Impact Nordtveit has yet to recover from his thigh injury and with just 10 days to go before the season, it's unlikely he'll be ready to start the Aug. 14 opener. He's been hampered by injuries the last few seasons and it looks like he'll start another campaign with an injury.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dennis Geiger - Set for season opener Geiger (hamstring) is fit and available versus FC Augsburg for the season opener Aug. 14 telling reporters, "It feels incredible to be fit and healthy again and to be back on the p...

Impact Geiger missed 23 games last year due to his lingering hamstring issue.As a result, the midfielder played in just 13 matches (11 starts) in all competitions in which he registered one goal on nine shots (three on target), two assists and 41 crosses (10 accurate). Now fully fit, Geiger should be in the mix for plenty of corners and crosses which makes him a solid top-half fantasy option.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ihlas Bebou - Tests positive for COVID-19 Bebou has tested positive for COVID-19 and could be a late test for the Aug. 14 opener against Augsburg.

Impact This positive test puts Bebou in doubt for the season opener that's two weeks away. Even if he's back with the team by then, his fitness may be a concern and there's a chance he won't be ready to start. He turned into a regular last season, producing nine goals and seven assists in 32 appearances (23 starts).

AUGUST 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Franko Kovacevic - Back at Hoffenheim Kovacevic had his loan terminated with FC Cincinnati and he'll return to Hoffenheim.

Impact Kovacevic had his loan extended only a month ago, so it's unclear what happened in that period. He's made three appearances this season and could never find a role in the squad. If he can't make it in MLS, it's hard to see him changing that in Bundesliga.

JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

David Raum - Records assist in loss Raum registered one assist, seven crosses (three accurate) and four clearances in Thursday's 4-2 defeat to Brazil.

Impact Raum put together a solid performance in a losing effort was able to push the attack from the left-back position, linking up with Ragnar Ache for an 84th-minute goal. If he continues to rack up crosses, Raum could be a sneaky good fantasy play in Sunday's matchup with Saudi Arabia.

JULY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful of new era, Bayern presents coach Julian Nagelsmann

An unprecedented nine straight Bundesliga titles, five German Cups and two Champions League titles in the past decade are not enough for Bayern Munich

JULY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diadie Samassekou - Tests positive for COVID-19 Samassekou will miss the start of preseason training with Hoffenheim after testing positive for COVID-19.

Impact Samasskou won't be able to travel to Hoffenheim and will remain in self-isolation until he is cleared to participate in training. This shouldn't impact the midfielder's availability for the season opener against Augsburg on Aug. 14. Considering he started all 31 of his absences last year, in which he registered two assists, 16 shots (zero on target) and 78 interceptions, Samassekou should be a near-lock for the starting XI most of the season, giving him decent mid-range fantasy value, especially in formats that value defensive stats.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

FC Cincinnati extend loan of Franko Kovacevic from TSG Hoffenheim ' MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Loan extension FC Cincinnati have extended the loan of forward Franko Kovačević from TSG Hoffenheim, the club annou...

JUNE 30, 2021 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Melayro Bogarde - Signs contract extension Bogarde agreed to terms on a contract extension Wednesday that will keep him with Hoffenheim through 2024.

Impact Bogarde appeared in just 13 games for Hoffenheim last season between the Bundesliga and the Europa League in which he registered two assists, seven shots (two on target) and 10 interceptions. The defender will look to break into the starting XI with more consistency this year.

JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Pavel Kaderabek - Gets clean sheet in first start Kaderabek had one shot not on target, one inaccurate cross and one interception in Sunday's 2-0 win against Netherlands.

Impact Kaderabek got the start for the suspended Jan Boril on Sunday and while he didn't get forward much, he got the clean sheet and win in a huge spot. Unfortunately, Kaderabek will probably return to the bench against Denmark, as Boril will be available again and he's been the top option at left-back in the Euros.

JUNE 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastian Rudy - Signs two-year deal Rudy will return to TSG Hoffenheim as a free transfer, signing a two-year deal through 2023.

Impact Rudy spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Hoffenheim from FC Schalke last season. In 25 appearances (21 starts), the midfielder recorded one goal on 15 shots (eight on target), two assists, 93 crosses (16) accurate and 66 corners. Rudy figures to remain the primary corner taker heading into the 2021-22 campaign and should offer top-end fantasy value.

JUNE 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Grillitsch - Logs two interceptions against Italy Grillitsch (undiclosed) sent in one inaccurate cross, had two interceptions, drew two fouls and won four duels in Saturday's 1-2 loss to Italy

Impact Grillitsch played through a minor ailment and had a pretty gritty display in the midfield as per usual. He has tallied three tackles, seven interceptions, two clearances and three blocks in three Euro fixtures (two starts).

JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Christoph Baumgartner - Wins three tackles versus Italy Baumgartner (head) won seven duels and three of four tackles, drew two fouls and sent in one inaccurate cross in Saturday's 1-2 loss Italy.

Impact Baumgartner was cleared to play after a head injury, but he did not provide a great offensive contribution in this one, also due to the caliber of the opponent. He closes his Euro with one goal, three shots, one chance created and five successful tackles.

JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Christoph Baumgartner - Starting against Italy Baumgartner (head) is in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Italy.

Impact Baumgartner passed concussion protocol earlier in the week and he's good to go Saturday. It's somewhat surprising since he said after the last match that his head felt worse the more he played. Either way, in addition to probably not going a full 90, he faces Italy, who haven't allowed a goal in 11-straight matches.

JUNE 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Grillitsch - Available against Italy Grillitsch (undisclosed) is available for Saturday's match against Italy after training fully Friday.

Impact Grillitsch wasn't expected to miss Saturday's match, but he trained away from the team earlier in the week, so there were some doubts. He played well in the final group match against Ukraine and could start in the Round of 16, albeit with minimal fantasy value against Italy.

JUNE 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ukraine 0-1 Austria Austria beats Ukraine 1-0 after a strike from Christoph Baumgartner from an early set piece in the first half. With the win, Austria secures...

JUNE 22, 2021 • BUFFALONEWS.COM

Christoph Baumgartner - Passes concussion protocol Baumgartner has been given the clear and tests did not reveal he suffered a concussion in Monday's match, according to the team. As long as nothing changes, he'll be ready to start...

Impact This is a bit surprising and somewhat worrying, as Baumgartner played roughly 15 minutes after knocking his head and after the match he said his head gradually felt worse. It looks like he's going to play through the issue and if that's the case, he'll likely start Saturday against Italy.

JUNE 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Austria through to round of 16 with narrow win over Ukraine Austria have secured their place in Euro 2020's round of 16 after narrowly beating Ukraine 1-0 in their final match of Group C.Christoph Bau...

JUNE 21, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM