Congenitally injured VfB Stuttgart centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou has suffered another setback. Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß confirmed that the 26-year-old was absent from yesterday’s friendly due to knee issues. Hopes that the Frenchman might be able to attempt a comeback this season aren’t necessarily dashed, but Hoeneß is singing a different tune than he was two weeks ago.
Zagadou started in Stuttgart’s first preseason friendly against SV Fellbach on July 12th. The former BVB defender turned in a serviceable 30-minute shift, looking confident in his runs and comfortable in aerial duels. At the time, Hoeneß happily reported that Zagadou had passed all his initial training metrics with flying colors.
“He could do everything,” Hoeneß said at the time. “We’re just hoping that he remains fit. He’s a player just like any other, though we will take it easy on him.“
“Daxo has problems with his knee,” Hoeneß nevertheless confirmed yesterday. “It’s not an old injury. It’s already been checked out. But it’s bothering him a bit at the moment.
“We’re looking into it,” Hoeneß continued. “He’s had X-rays taken. It doesn’t have to be something serious.”
GGFN | Peter Weis
