Hoffenheim lose Hranac to surgery ahead of Schalke 04 match

According to kicker, Hranac's operation worsens Hoffenheim's injury problems before they host Schalke 04 on Sunday 8 November at 19:30.

Hranac is undergoing surgery and joins the injury list at Hoffenheim, according to kicker. The German outlet reports that the player is "under the knife" and that the club's shortage of players is now even worse.

The paper describes a wave of injuries that hits the centre of defence hardest. The situation is more serious than previously known, and Hranac's operation adds another name to a treatment room that was already full.

The news comes at a delicate moment in the league table. Hoffenheim are 12th in the Bundesliga with 9 points after eight matchdays: three wins and five defeats, with no draws. They have scored 14 goals and conceded 16, so the back line was already a concern before this news.

What it means for the Schalke 04 match

Hoffenheim host Schalke 04 at the PreZero Arena on Sunday 8 November at 19:30 (Spanish mainland time), on matchday 9. The visitors are 17th with 6 points: one win, three draws and four defeats, with only 4 goals scored and 9 conceded.

With a depleted centre of defence, the home side will have to rebuild its back line against opponents who score little. That works in Hoffenheim's favour, but a team that has conceded 16 goals in eight matches has little room to improvise. Hranac's absence hurts more in defence than in attack, and that is where the coaching staff must find answers before Sunday.

Hoffenheim have lost five of their eight matches, and Schalke arrive with the chance to take points from a host short of players.

Sources: kicker