Hoffenheim Coach Christian Ilzer Plans to Slowly Introduce Gift Orban to Starting Lineup
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim manager, Christian Ilzer, has shared his plans to gradually bring Nigerian striker Gift Orban into the team’s starting lineup.
The 22-year-old joined Hoffenheim from Olympique Lyonnais in the January transfer window after his time in France didn’t go as expected. Orban has settled well in Germany and has already scored twice in two games, coming off the bench to give Hoffenheim’s attack a boost.
While many fans want Orban to start regularly, Ilzer is asking for patience. He said, “He usually has to prove himself in short appearances. We are working on his integration step by step, but we’ve already made good progress. He can already do it, and he will be able to help us a lot more in the future.”
Hoffenheim are currently 15th in the Bundesliga, just four points above the relegation zone. The team has struggled to score goals, which is why they signed Orban. They are ranked 14th for goals scored, with 26 from 20 matches, but have also conceded the third most goals in the league, with 40 goals against them.
Despite joining in January, Orban has already scored two goals in four league appearances, putting him 4th on the club’s goalscorer list, behind Marius Bülter (4), Adam Hlozek (6), and Andrej Kramaric (7).
