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MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 2:40 am

Liverpool star Marko Grujic is currently at the heart of German football's biggest story after Cardiff City move fell down
Neil Warnock would be forgiven for thinking what might have been




By Tom Coleman

Tuesday 25th September 2018


It's been a difficult couple of weeks for Cardiff City, with boss Neil Warnock now facing the unenviable task of trying to lift his team after a 5-0 mauling at home to champions Manchester City.

Much like the defeat at Chelsea the previous week, the dismantling suffered at the hands of Pep Guardiola's team was certainly not the result of a lack of effort, but has nevertheless raised real questions over the level of genuine Premier League quality in this squad.


The likes of Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa have, despite results, proved reasonably successful acquisitions, but given the way things have panned out, Warnock may well find it hard not to think about the target that got away.

Having been Cardiff's number one target and the subject of an intense pursuit for most of the summer, Liverpool loanee Marko Grujic is now part of a story that's capturing the imagination of German football.


Although they enjoyed Europa League football last term, Hertha Berlin have emerged as the surprise package in the Bundesliga, taking 10 points from their opening four games - a surge that's caused some of the more optimistic fans to even suggest that they have the tools to challenge Bayern Munich's iron grip on the title.

Plotting for championships is a million miles away from the mood at the Cardiff City Stadium right now. But, like he did in the Welsh capital, Grujic has emerged as a key figure in it all.

"Marko is an exceptional player in midfield," a delighted head coach Pal Dárdai exclaimed. "I’ve never said that about anyone since I was coach here.

"It’s not normal for us to be able to get him."



Plenty across Germany agree.

Uwe Bremer of the local Berliner Morgenpost recently wrote: "Another key to the Hertha upswing is Marko Grujic. The Serb, loaned for a season by English championship leader Liverpool FC, embodies unremarkable top class."

It's a description Cardiff fans will be all too familiar with, and many will subsequently be forgiven for thinking what might have been.


Then again, there have been setbacks.

The 4-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend was punctuated by the Serbian international being forced off with a suspected ankle problem, following a heavy challenge from Patrick Herrmann.

It will come as a blow to Grujic's hopes of further success in the Bundesliga, but all the signs suggest his importance to this team has not diminished.

"Marko has managed to make a significant difference to our game in the short time he has been with us, which is why the loss for him personally and for us is very, very bitter," Hertha general manager Michael Preetz said after the weekend's win.

"Now we will look after him and help him, so that he can play that role as soon as possible."
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Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:11 am

Sven, I think camasara is the better player!

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 9:01 am

Igovernor wrote:Sven, I think camasara is the better player!


You may well be right and I have been a fan of Camarasa so far :thumbright:

Grujic seemed to split opinion when linked with us in the summer but it appears he has what it takes :ayatollah:

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 10:38 am

Grujic was fine last season, nothing more, nothing less. No doubt it was difficult for him to tailor his game to the hustle and bustle of the Championship, and he wasn't match fit to begin with, so maybe the Bundesliga suits his style better. However, on what we saw of him, I personally don't think he has it in him to be a top four club premier league midfielder.

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 10:43 am

I don’t think it was a coincidence that we went unbeaten when he started games when he first joined. Then started losing and lost composure in midfield when gunnerson came back, and gunnerson is my fave player. Was the only player who would put his foot on the ball and take his time at times last season instead of rushing.
People said he was a red card waiting to happen. Arter is just as bad if not worse than Grujic.

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 12:58 pm

Problem is we didn't really buy anyone to play the holding roll and now Ralls is struggling for it. We have Gunnersson to come back if he is ever fit and even then he splits opinion if he is up to championship standard or not.

Grujic is nothing like Camarasa as a player, a bit like the rest of the summer deals seem to be done for whose available rather than who we need. The more I think of it the more I think our deals were lazy over the summer.

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 1:08 pm

Grujic has broken his leg, so probs back in Liverpool now?

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 6:11 pm

The standard of the Bundesliga is far below the Prem..

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 6:36 pm

NPCC39 wrote:Grujic has broken his leg, so probs back in Liverpool now?

He has actually ruptured ankle ligaments, and is NOT being recalled to Liverpool for treatment.

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 6:40 pm

rumpo kid wrote:The standard of the Bundesliga is far below the Prem..


I think it's less followed then the Championship

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 11:17 pm

NPCC39 wrote:Grujic has broken his leg, so probs back in Liverpool now?


Ouch! :shock:

To be fair, probably wouldn't have happened if he'd come here...!

Karma? ;)

Re: MARKO GRUJIC: GETTING THE PLAUDITS IN GERMANY

Tue Sep 25, 2018 11:30 pm

Sven wrote:
NPCC39 wrote:Grujic has broken his leg, so probs back in Liverpool now?


Ouch! :shock:

To be fair, probably wouldn't have happened if he'd come here...!

Karma? ;)

As I posted above, Liverpool echo reporting he has ruptured ankle ligaments, not a broken leg,and Liverpool have no plans to bring him back for treatment :thumbup: