Werder’s clash with Schalke 04 on Saturday evening (18:30 CEST) will be their second consecutive home game. Ahead of the important match, head coach Ole Werner faced the media to discuss the “physical opposition” and the importance of a strong team performance under the floodlights.
According to Ole Werner, Schalke’s recent change of head coach could breathe a new life into the relegation strugglers. Despite S04’s recent misfortunes, Werner was quick to point out that his side cannot afford to take their opponents lightly: “We need to always prepare ourselves with the mindset that our opponents will play their best game. Our job is to bring our game. We need to always push ourselves to the absolute limit in every Bundesliga match, no matter who we are playing,” explained the head coach.
Werner won’t have the luxury of a full squad to choose from on Saturday night. Felix Agu and Lee Buchanan will miss out against the Royal Blues, as will Manuel Mbom and Dos Santos Haesler. Anthony Jung, however, returned to team training on Thursday after his illness. “I am not worried [about the injuries] because we have the means to respond. Of course we are making considerations and we have alternatives if necessary,” said the gaffer.
The wohninvest WESERSTADION is sold-out on Saturday night and the players’ aim will be to pick up all three points under the floodlights. “For us it’s quite simple: We need to be at our best. There are no games that we will win by just turning up. It’s all about concentrating on the individual tasks. Where a team are in the table or whether they are strong at home or on the road is less important.”
