According to Kicker, Kramaric is currently experiencing his worst slump since joining Hoffenheim, and this predicament has extended to the Croatian national team as well.

The national team has offered no relief either. Kramaric remained on the bench for Croatia's first UEFA Nations League match, not playing at all. In contrast, his Hoffenheim teammates Hlozek, Hranac, and Coufal all played the full 90 minutes in the Czech Republic's 1-2 home loss to Croatia, while the former leader could only watch from the sidelines, just like at his club.

Since his transfer to Hoffenheim in the winter of 2016 from then-Premier League powerhouse Leicester City, Kramaric is currently experiencing his most severe career downturn. In his last five official matches in the Bundesliga and Europa League, the long-time top scorer and key player has consistently started from the bench. The last time a fit and available Kramaric faced a similar slump was in the 2017/18 season, but the situation was not as serious then.

Back then, Hoffenheim coach Nagelsmann, due to Kramaric's poor form and goal drought, also kept the star on the bench for five consecutive matches. However, Kramaric still accumulated 146 minutes of playing time, double the time current coach Hoeneß has given him recently. At the time, Kramaric was behind in-form players such as Uth, Gnabry, or Sandro Wagner, but the Croatian player re-ignited in the second half of the season, scoring 13 goals to become the team's second-highest scorer behind Uth (14 goals), making a significant contribution to the team's direct qualification for the Champions League.

This time, Kramaric's demotion to the bench is due to a delayed pre-season, groin surgery, and increased competition. The veteran was even completely absent from the season's first German Cup match, a 4-0 victory over Aue. The returning Bamba Sékou-Koïté has filled some of the void, attracting attention with his excellent performances and potentially making his Germany national team debut on Sunday night. Koïté's rising status will likely make it even harder for Kramaric to reclaim and maintain his original position.

Furthermore, Hlozek has also returned in better form. In terms of aggressive pressing, Tim Lemperele and initially Max Moerstedt have the advantage. New signing Patrick Wimmer, who can play multiple positions, has also made his demands for playing time. After a failed transfer to Leipzig, Fisnik Asllani is also vying for more minutes. The left flank has consistently been held by the in-form Ihlas Bebou.

However, Kramaric's competitors have not yet shown consistent efficiency, wasting many scoring opportunities and missing numerous dangerous attacks. This is precisely the opportunity Kramaric might seize. After all, the composure and decisiveness in the final third that this aging star has long represented are precisely the qualities Hoffenheim still lacks this season, and the team needs to convert its overall performance into points. After the international break, the situation will become clearer. With seven more official matches in the next three weeks, Kramaric's playing time is expected to increase, and a return to the starting lineup is not impossible.

For now, the Croatian player hopes to play his 120th national team match and continue scoring goals. Ivan Perisic, second on the national team's all-time scoring list, is currently only three goals ahead of him, and Kramaric is also chasing Davor Suker's record of 45 national team goals. However, the upcoming Nations League tasks are not easy: an away match against Spain on Tuesday, a home game against England on Saturday, and then another match against Spain three days later. Only then will it be clear whether Kramaric returns to Krajina well-rested or in match-honed form.

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