Former Melbourne Victory striker Marco Rojas has finally made his debut for Vfb Stuttgart, but it might have come too late to appease the club’s fans.
Former Melbourne Victory and Hyundai A-League player of the year Marco Rojas has finally made his debut for Vfb Stuttgart, but it might have come too late to appease the club’s fans.
Rojas, 22, has endured an injury-plagued season since moving to Germany and played his first competitive match for his new club on Saturday, in the reserve team against MSV Duisburg.
The Kiwi international and former Phoenix rising star played the opening 45 minutes before he was substituted at the break.
And a host of Stuttgart supporters took to the club-s official online forum over the weekend to question whether Rojas was cut-out for the Bundesliga and if the club had made a mistake in signing him.
“It was clear for all to see that Marco had not played in a competitive environment for many months,” reserve team coach Jürgen Kramny told the German media after the match.
“He tried several things but just couldn’t get into the game. More than 45 minutes was not realistic for him today.”
While some fans have called for patience with the young striker, it seems many have already written him off.
Rojas arrived in Stuttgart with an exciting reputation after winning the Hyundai A-League’s Player of the Year award in his final season at the Victory.
But it’s been a nightmare first season in Germany for Rojas after he broke a metatarsal in his right foot during his first pre-season match.
It put Rojas on the sidelines for half the season before returning to friendly action during the Christmas break, only to this time suffer a knee injury.
Stuttgart is struggling near the bottom of the league, sitting just above the relegation zone with five games remaining and its understood team management is keen to get Rojas fit for the crucial end of season matches.
