Former Stoke midfielder Wouter Burger thrives in new offensive role for Hoffenheim | OneFootball

Hoffenheim’s intended replacement for the departed Anton Stach continues to thrive for his new Bundesliga club. Former Stoke City man Wouter Burger bagged his second career brace on Sunday evening. The former Dutch youth international looks to become even more of a goal-scoring threat thanks to a new tactical tweak. 

From training camp onwards, Burger has been pairing with his former FC Basel teammate Leon Avdullahu in a midfield double-six set-up. Recently, however, Hoffenheim trainer Christian Ilzer has moved Avdullahu back to a sweeper position whilst Grischa Prömel works alongside Burger in 4-1-4-1 in which Prömel and Burger rotate as double eights. 

Burger confirmed that he and the TSG coaching staff have been working on how to get him further forward. The player’s two goals in the weekend victory over Wolfsburg were of the highest technical quality. It appears as if the 24-year-old has a lot more days on the scoresheet to look forward to. 

“I have to say, I worked a lot with the technical team last week to get into the box more,” Burger remarked in the mixed zone last night. “I did well twice today and scored two goals. I’ve worked really hard on that.”

GGFN | Peter Weis