Unarguably, the Bosnian who enjoyed the first half of the season the most has been long-serving national team captain Emir Spahic who is still going strong despite his age (34) and has cemented himself once more as a key defensive player for Champions League participants Bayer Leverkusen, with standout displays against the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim, and Bayern Munich sticking out as the highs of his season up to now.
Having been expected to be replaced in the starting lineup upon Roger Schmidt’s arrival in the summer, Spahic didn’t take long to prove to him that he was still up to the task despite coming off a disappointing World Cup campaign and international retirement (which was later reversed), establishing himself as a mainstay in the league’s fifth-best defense, leading Bayer to their third place Hinrunde finish, leaving the club poised to qualify for the Champions League for the third year running.
Another player having a good season is Ermin Bicakcic who’s established himself as a starter at the heart of Hoffenheim’s defense following his summer move from last year’s relegated outfit Eintracht Braunschweig. Early in the campaign, Bicakcic struggled with injury problems that kept him out of the side for weeks. In the last few months, though, he has fully recovered and found his way into the starting lineup, posting solid performances and even finding himself ranked by some as one of the higher-ranked defenders in the league. Just 24 years old and with a spot tied down in the team, it seems like Bicakcic’s best days are ahead of him for both club and country. Hoffenheim currently sit seventh in the league, just a point off a Champions League place.
by Edin Halilovic
(Source: bundesligafanatic)
