Andrej Kramaric’s wait for a fresh start has extended from Hoffenheim to Croatia. The 35-year-old was unused in Croatia’s Nations League opener, while his club place remains under pressure after five consecutive competitive matches beginning on the bench.
Key takeaways
- Kramaric has not started any of Hoffenheim’s last five Bundesliga and Europa League fixtures.
- He missed Croatia’s Nations League match entirely as the Czechs lost 2-1 at home with Adam Hlozek, Robin Hranac and Vladimir Coufal playing 90 minutes.
- A delayed pre-season and groin surgery have contributed to his reduced role.
- Hoffenheim’s forwards have created chances but have lacked a consistent finish.
- Seven competitive matches in three weeks after the international break could bring Kramaric more minutes.
A crowded Hoffenheim attack
Kramaric has been a fixture at TSG since arriving from Leicester City in the winter of 2016. This is his longest sustained spell out of the starting side since then.
There was a similar, though less severe, situation under Julian Nagelsmann in 2017/18. Kramaric started five games as a substitute amid a scoring drought, but still received 146 minutes. Mark Uth, Serge Gnabry and Sandro Wagner were ahead of him at that point. Kramaric recovered in the second half of the campaign, scored 13 league goals and helped Hoffenheim secure direct Champions League qualification. Only Uth, with 14, scored more.
The current competition is deeper. Bambasé Conté took his opportunity while Kramaric was absent for the 4-0 German Cup win at Aue and has strengthened his standing. He could make his Germany debut on Sunday.
Hlozek has also returned with momentum. Tim Lemperle and, earlier in the season, Max Moerstedt have offered more aggressive pressing from the front. New signing Patrick Wimmer can work across several attacking roles, while Fisnik Asllani is again pushing for involvement after his proposed move to Leipzig collapsed. Adam Daghim remains established on the left.
Finishing remains Kramaric’s route back
Christian Ilzer’s attacking options have not yet turned their opportunities into enough goals. Chances have gone unfinished and promising moves have broken down in the final third. That leaves an opening for Kramaric, whose value to Hoffenheim has long been his calmness in front of goal.
He has scored 158 times in 366 appearances for the club. Hoffenheim need that level of decisiveness if strong performances are to produce more points. The demanding run after the break should also require rotation, putting a return to the starting XI within reach.
Before returning to the Kraichgau, Kramaric is targeting his 120th Croatia cap. He is also chasing further goals in the national team’s scoring list. Ivan Perisic, second on 39, is three behind Kramaric, while Davor Suker’s record of 45 remains a longer-term target.
Croatia travel to Spain on Tuesday, host England on Saturday and face Spain again three days later. Those matches will show whether Kramaric returns to Hoffenheim rested or sharpened by a heavier international role.
