Dennis Geiger’s ‘incredible’ stats that convinced Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven the German midfielder could make an immediate impact
Midfielder Dennis Geiger had not played for Hoffenheim this season but interim Aberdeen boss Peter Leven revealed former German under-21 international posted incredible stats at the German Bundesliga club. Geiger’s debut was delayed because three successive Aberdeen games were postponed due to heavy rain at the start of the month.
Interim boss Peter Leven revealed data provided by Hoffenheim convinced Aberdeen that loan star Dennis Geiger was ready to make an immediate impact, despite not playing for eight months.
Aberdeen secured Geiger on loan from the German Bundesliga club until the end of the season and Leven has started him in every game since his arrival.
Geiger has started the last four games in a congested 10 day period, yet hadn’t been involved in a competitive match this season prior to moving to Pittodrie.
The former German under-21 international had not played since starting a 4-0 loss to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on May 15 last year.
His lack of game time has not been down to injury or loss in form.
The 27-year-old midfielder has been frozen out of the Hoffenheim first team since publicly criticising the club’s recruitment strategy.
Midfielder’s incredible fitness stats
Geiger was one of seven players secured during the January transfer window in a bid by the Pittodrie hierarchy to save the season.
Leven recently admitted some of the winter window additions were short of match-fitness and sharpness.
However, despite Geiger’s lack of game time Leven revealed the midfielder’s stats provided by his parent club were “incredible”.
Those figures, and Geiger’s performances in training, convinced Leven the midfielder was ahead of some of the other January additions with fitness.
He said: “Dennis is clearly a naturally fit player and we also got his data from Hoffenheim.
“His numbers are incredible.
“That is maybe the reason why Dennis has done more in training.
“When he was not playing games has he done super extra to keep himself ticking over?
“I’m not sure, but we looked at his numbers and they are incredible.”
The Dons hold the option to buy the former German under-21 international who is contracted to Hoffenheim until summer 2027.
Communication also key for Leven
Geiger’s debut was delayed because three successive Aberdeen games were postponed due to heavy rain at the start of the month.
He finally made his Dons bow when starting the 2-0 away loss to Motherwell in the Premiership on February 15, and played 79 minutes.
Geiger suffered a nightmare Pittodrie debut when red carded in the first half for a high challenge in the 2-0 Scottish Cup win against Motherwell days later.
Despite that sending off setback Geiger started the next match, a 3-2 loss to Dundee and played for the entire game.
Aberdeen were also reduced to 10 men in that match, following a first half red card to Queens Park Rangers loan centre-back Liam Morrison.
However Geiger played for the entire 90 minutes against Dundee.
He also lasted for the entire game in the 0-0 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on Tuesday, on a heavy, rutted pitch.
Leven said: “We got loads of data.
“We can also check the GPS (tracking) and see how players are testing.
“And we can make sure their muscles are up to speed and they’re not fatiguing.
“However communication is also key, asking a player how he feels.”
Geiger was one of three midfielders signed during the January transfer window.
January signings short of game time
Rangers’ Lyall Cameron came in on loan until the end of the season and has been a regular starter for the Reds.
Aremu, who penned a two-and-a-half-year contract, had not started a game since last October prior to moving to the Dons.
Nigerian international Aremu, deployed in the No.6 holding midfield role in a 4-1-4-1 formation, was substituted at half-time in his first two games.
Aremu was an unused substitute in the goalless stalemate at Dundee United.
Leven insists he will have to balance getting players match sharp with the need to get victories.
He said: “We had a lot of new players come in during January who hadn’t played many games.
“There are a lot of games with midweek fixtures as well so I am just going to have to utilise the squad the best way can.
“I have to be careful because it is Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek with games.
“So it’s just managing and making sure I’ve got the right people to play the right games.”
[Source: Press and Journal]
