Ibisevic plots fightback to the top

Unfortunately he ruptured his cruciate ligament during a friendly match against Hamburger SV in January and his campaign was over as Hoffenheim prepared for the rest of the season. "It was certainly not easy running across the training pitch on my own and spending time in the weights room by myself, but you get used to it," Ibisevic explained. "It is far less fun than training with the other lads," he said, obviously happy to be back to business as usual.

The knee injury has completely healed and now the striker is raring to go. "I never doubted that I would reach full fitness again." Now bristling with self-confidence, the 25-year-old revealed his secret for all the goals last season. "If the team functions the way it did last year and gets back to full strength, things will work out for me as well."

"Last season we didn't know what to expect, but took huge self-confidence into the matches." It certainly was a great run for Hoffenheim, but so far the summer of 2009 hasn't gone according to plan. "We had two really tough opponents, but made life difficult for ourselves as well."

Besides hoping for a successful campaign with 1899 Hoffenheim, Vedad Ibisevic also aims high playing for Bosnia. "It would be the greatest accomplishment if we could qualify for the World Cup," he says in regards to next years showdown in South Africa. However, currently trailing group leaders and European champions Spain by six points with four matches to go, a direct qualification for the World Cup might prove tricky. Until then, Ibisevic is fully focussed to deliver with 1899 Hoffenheim.