Hoffenheim's Ibisevic could be out for months
Reuters - Thursday 15 January 2009, 19:08
BERLIN - Hoffenheim striker Vedad
Ibisevic, the leading scorer in the Bundesliga this season,
could be out for several months after tearing the anterior
cruciate ligament in his right knee, the club said on Thursday.
Ibisevic, who has scored 18 goals in the league this term,
was injured in a training match against Hamburg in Spain on
Wednesday.
The injury is a major blow to the surprise league leaders
with the Bundesliga resuming in just over two weeks.
In a statement on their website,
Hoffenheim said Ibisevic was checked on Thursday by doctors in
Germany who said he had indeed torn his ligament and could now
be sidelined for several months.
"Unfortunately the first diagnosis immediately after the
match proved to be right. With the torn ligament he now faces a
months-long break," the club said.
The Bosnia international had to come off in the 82nd minute
after being injured earlier in Hoffenheim's 2-0 defeat by
Hamburg. He had played on injured for several minutes, the club
said.
Hoffenheim, in their first Bundesliga season, have been the
league's surprise package, topping the standings at the halfway
mark with attractive, free-scoring soccer to leave champions
Bayern Munich second on goal difference.
Ibisevic, 24, largely unknown at the start of the season
having joined Hoffenheim when they were in the second division,
had been outstanding so far netting 18 goals in 17 league
matches to help turn the newcomers into title contenders.
"This is a major setback. We hope he can come back as
quickly as possible," teammate Tobias Weis said.
Coach Ralf Rangnick had said earlier on Thursday the club
would seek to bring in a proven striker during the transfer
period ending in late January if the injury was indeed as
serious as initially feared.
"If Vedad is not at our disposal for the second round of the
season then we would need to become active on the transfer
market," Rangnick said.