Andrej Kramaric has been a defining figure at Hoffenheim for more than a decade, but the Croatian forward is currently fighting to rediscover his best form.

Kramaric’s season has yet to get going. After undergoing groin surgery following the World Cup, the Hoffenheim record goalscorer missed almost the entire pre-season and has struggled to regain match fitness. Across eight appearances this campaign, he has accumulated just 179 minutes on the pitch.

The Croatian started for the first time this season in Hoffenheim’s 3-2 defeat against Besiktas last week, playing 70 minutes before returning to the bench for the subsequent league defeat against Hamburg. He was introduced in the 63rd minute in that game and also remained among the substitutes for Sunday’s 2-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Ilzer recognises Kramaric’s quality and experience but insists that every player must earn their minutes. “You can’t give away playing time as a coach. Players simply have to earn their minutes through performances,” the Austrian explained. He also acknowledged that players returning from injuries need time to build up their fitness and form, making communication with them particularly important.

Few players at Hoffenheim can match Kramaric’s standing at the club. He has scored 158 goals in more than a decade with the Bundesliga side and netted 15 times last season. Sporting director Andreas Schicker described him as a club legend when his contract was extended in May.

Despite his reduced role, Kramaric has not publicly voiced his frustration. The forward, who finished as a World Cup runner-up with Croatia in 2018 and third in 2022, has largely kept his thoughts to himself in recent weeks.

Hoffenheim’s 2-1 victory in Gladbach offered some relief after a difficult spell, but tougher tests lie ahead. Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Lyon, who lead Ligue 1, will be followed by a Bundesliga meeting with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday. For Kramaric, both fixtures offer an opportunity to work his way back into Ilzer’s plans.