Next up Bremen for in-form Ibišević

In the ascendant
Ibišević may have six goals from promoted Hoffenheim's first five matches in the Bundesliga but he has taken a circuitous route to the No1 spot. Born in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the 24-year-old's career path brought him to Germany via Switzerland, the United States and two seasons in French football with Paris Saint-Germain FC and Dijon FCO. Even his first year in the Bundesliga was ill-starred as TSV Alemannia Aachen suffered relegation in 2006/07. Hoffenheim picked him up, yet Ibišević still found himself behind high-profile signings Demba Ba and Chinedu Obasi who each contributed 12 goals to the club's 2. Bundesliga title triumph. Indeed, Ibišević has already surpassed his tally of five goals from last term, following his double in the 4-1 win against BV Borussia Dortmund on 21 September. Only Patrick Helmes of Bayer 04 Leverskusen can keep pace with the new kid on the block.

'Selfless attitude'
According to Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick, though, it was the forward's generous reaction to being usurped by Ba and Obasi last season (when he made only nine league starts) that sowed the seeds for his current success. "He welcomed both players with open arms, and in particular helped Demba Ba integrate into our team. I think the dressing room valued that very highly – he is very popular among the players, not just for his football ability but also because of his selfless attitude." Ibišević himself mused: "I had not expected such strong competition for places. It was difficult for me and I was a bit disappointed. But that's football."

Integration
His own history perhaps gives a clue as to why he welcomed the two men seemingly signed to replace him. Having left his homeland aged 15 and eventually settled in the US with his parents, Ibišević returned to Europe in 2004 with PSG. "Back in France and then again in Aachen, I would have liked it if someone had helped me establish myself," he said. "That's why it went without saying that I would help the new players." His belated reward came at the start of this season: with Obasi representing Nigeria at the Olympics, the Bosnia-Herzegovina striker got his starting chance. He scored twice in Hoffenheim's top-flight debut, a 3-0 opening-day win at FC Energie Cottbus, and has failed to register only in a 0-0 draw against VfB Stuttgart. "Vedad is best when he plays simple football and doesn't make it complicated," said Rangnick.

Competition
However, there is no standing still at ambitious Hoffenheim, who are up to second in the table. Although Obasi returned from China with a thumb injury, he has been catching the eye in training, putting pressure on Ibišević along with Ba and Brazilian forward Washington. On top of that, there are rumours of a January move for FC Basel 1893 prodigy Eren Derdiyok. Ibišević said: "I don't want to comment on that. I stayed here despite the competition because I wanted to show that I belong in the Bundesliga. At the moment things are going well because I don't worry and keep my cool." Hoffenheim travel to Werder Bremen on Saturday.