Koki Machida has returned to Hoffenheim’s Bundesliga squad after more than a year out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, adding calm and competition to Christian Ilzer’s back line.
Machida back after 13-month absence
Hoffenheim beat VfB Stuttgart 2-1 on Saturday, with Machida brought on during a demanding final phase. It was the Japan international’s first Bundesliga appearance since tearing his ACL at Leverkusen on matchday one of the 2025/26 campaign, around 13 months earlier.
- Machida made encouraging early progress during the spring and briefly considered a possible World Cup return.
- A discussion with Hoffenheim’s management ended that idea, with the focus switched to a controlled return to competitive football.
- The 29-year-old collected match minutes with Hoffenheim’s U23s, playing one half of the 3. Liga defeat at Grossaspach, 1-0.
- He then entered the Stuttgart match with the result still in the balance and helped Hoffenheim see out the win.
Sporting director Andreas Schicker said Machida immediately gave the side greater composure. “His actions were very clear, and he also brings the players around him with him,” Schicker said. “Last season was very difficult for him, but he will help us in many matches.”
Ilzer weighs Europa League start
Machida could now be in contention to start in the Europa League away to OFI Crete on Thursday. Ilzer did not confirm his selection, but praised the defender’s handling of the Stuttgart situation.
“You could see the calm and quality Koki brought to the game,” Ilzer said. “Coming on against Stuttgart when it was so close says a lot about his quality and character.”
The Hoffenheim coach also noted that Machida accepted U23 minutes without complaint despite his standing as an established international with 17 senior Japan caps. “He gave everything to return at a very high level,” Ilzer said.
Ilzer kept other rotation decisions open, with Andrej Kramaric, Max Moerstadt, Patrick Wimmer, Fisnik Asllani and Nathan De Cat among the options. Hoffenheim also skipped their final training session at the destination, instead working on tactical details at their own training centre without opposition observation.
Pressure grows at left centre-back
Machida’s availability creates a new selection question alongside Albian Hajdari. The 23-year-old was signed after Machida’s injury and established himself last season, eventually joining the team leadership group.
Hajdari has nevertheless had costly moments this term. Against Dortmund, he took an avoidable booking before scoring a preventable own goal in the 3-2 defeat. He can also operate at full-back, as he did against Stuttgart, leaving Machida with a realistic route back into the left-sided centre-back role.
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Koki Machida returns for Hoffenheim after ACL lay-off
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Hoffenheim defender Koki Machida made his Bundesliga return against Stuttgart after 13 months out and could start against OFI Crete.
