Yusuf Demir: Finally back to his old self?

Yusuf Demir has not had an easy time in recent years. After shuttling between the substitute bench and the stands at Galatasaray, he returned to SK Rapid last winter.

In the spring of last season, he occasionally showed flashes of his class. Nevertheless, he did not play a particularly big role.

This season, however, paints a different picture. Four Bundesliga games, four times Demir was in the starting eleven. The last two games are particularly telling: After Demir played the full 120 minutes on Wednesday in the European cup exit against Hearts, he also played the entire match four days later in the 3-1 victory against Sturm Graz (To the match report>>>).

Demir impresses with commitment

Against the Graz side, he didn't just play the full 90 minutes; the winger was the decisive man on the field.

After scoring the opening goal himself from a penalty in the 7th minute, he also provided the assist for Petter Nosa Dahl's decisive goal in the 86th minute.

"We've taken so much crap" - Rapid shows the right reaction>>>

Demir was noticeable against the Graz side, but not only because he was involved in the goals. He stood out primarily due to his energy and commitment. Time and again, he threw himself into tackles and worked back defensively. Tired legs did not seem to be an issue for the 23-year-old.

"Previously, we probably only saw him as a technical player, but the fact is: if you look at the best leagues and top football today, you have no chance at the highest level if you cannot physically assert yourself. So he also had to bring this aspect to his highest level, and that's exactly what he's doing right now," says his coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.

"It's down to him"

The Dane further adds: "As for fitness, you cannot compare his current state with what he achieved before. He is at such a much higher level."

However, the coach does not want to take credit for Demir's current fitness.

"I'd love to take credit for it, but it's mainly down to him. Because he was at a point in his career where he had to find his way back into football. And now he's playing with this presence and this physique. I'm truly impressed."

"I'm 100 percent sure of that"

When Demir moved from Rapid to FC Barcelona as a teenager and played in the Champions League there, hopes in Austria were high that a new superstar had been found. But subsequently, he was never able to build on his first years at Rapid.

Currently, it looks like he's on his way back to his old strength. However, according to his coach, he definitely hasn't reached the maximum of his performance capacity yet.

"He has huge potential, but potential also includes mental strength: Can you pick yourself up after disappointments? I believe he is currently showing that he can do that. If he continues to play as he is doing now, then a further big step awaits him sometime, I'm 100 percent sure of that," Hoff Thorup says optimistically.