Mixed Zone with Marvin Ducksch

Ducksch can often be found practicing his free kicks after training. “That’s exactly why I practice them,” he explained when asked whether he has set himself the goal of scoring more direct free-kicks. “But, we also have other players who are good at taking them. We make a spontaneous decision based on who feels up for it,” he added, naming Niklas Schmidt as another strong free kick taker within the team.

Werder’s number 7 won’t have fond memories of the most recent meeting with Augsburg, having had penalty saved in injury time with Werder going on to lose 1-0. “That game was a long time ago,” he said. “It’s out of my mind and all I want is to win this game now.”

Head coach Enrico Maaßen’s side have won 1-0 in each of their last three home games, although Ducksch is expecting the game “to not be a great spectacle.” The Green-Whites will seek to take control of proceedings, with Ducksch saying “It will be similar to the game against Bochum, with lots of long balls. We need to ready to defend those and do our best to keep calm on the pitch.”

Ducksch is hoping his good form continues in Augsburg this weekend, having scored twice and provided two assists since the winter break. “I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I’m continuing to work on my weaknesses, to make my runs and to help create space for my teammates. I’ve never experienced what it’s like to be a regular starter in the Bundesliga before, so this is definitely something special for me.”

????️ Marvin Ducksch on his free-kick goal: "Of course I plan to try and score more, that's why I train for it. But we have other players who can do it, too. We decide in the moment based on how each of us feels in the game."#werderpic.twitter.com/9B6NJzhmml

— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 1, 2023