Hoffenheim's Östigaard dilutes the strong impression

Leo Östigaard has been cutting an unfortunate figure in recent weeks. IMAGO/Contrast

After the planned return of Stefan Posch to TSG failed in the winter, sports director Andreas Schicker quickly conjured up Leo Östigaard shortly before the transfer window closed and loaned him from Stade Rennes until the summer.

This transfer quickly proved to be a stroke of luck. The Norwegian immediately assumed a leadership role and injected reliable aggression and power into Hoffenheim's vulnerable defense. The 25-year-old, who had previously played for FC St. Pauli in the German second division, quickly established himself as the boss of the back line, and much seemed to be pointing towards TSG exercising their agreed purchase option in the summer. Reportedly, a total of around ten million euros would be due if the Kraichgau club were to permanently sign the defender, who is still under contract with the French club until 2027.

Instead, Östigaard himself sows doubts about the project week after week – at least about the price. Even the solid tackler is now regularly making avoidable mistakes, which are also having a painful impact on the results. The misery began in the game against Leipzig.

In the 1-3 defeat, Östigaard misjudged a last-man challenge with RB Leipzig striker Openda and earned a harsh but understandable red card. Coach Christian Ilzer, just as understandably, complained about the resulting two-match suspension at the time, questioning its proportionality.

Since then, however, Östigaard has also been affected by Hoffenheim's general uncertainty. Against Dortmund (2:3), the Norwegian caused a harsh penalty call, but Oliver Baumann was able to save the resulting penalty. Later, however, the exceptionally strong header was repeatedly outmaneuvered on the ground or left standing (for example, by Adeyemi).

In the 4:4 in Gladbach, Östigaard seriously misjudged a challenge with Rocco Reitz , who was entering the penalty area and immediately scored to make it 2:0.

Later, after Arthur Chave's ricochet, he was involved in a harmless duel with Gladbach's Tim Kleindienst , who won the ball and immediately passed it to Honorat to make it 3-2. And last but not least, Östigaard also lost an aerial battle with Kleindienst shortly before the final whistle, who headed the ball into the net, half with his shoulder, to make it 4-4.

In Wolfsburg on Friday, Östigaard unluckily fired into his own net after just 19 seconds, making it 0-1 early on. And just like in Gladbach, Norway's international defender once again lost a harmless but crucial header in front of his own goal. This time, Jonas Wind was the beneficiary, heading VfL into the lead for the second time.