After the massive 6-2 win over Stuttgart at the weekend in the first of four end-of-season finals, Werder face the next challenge in Cologne’s RheinEnergieSTADION against FC Köln. The hosts have picked up three points from their last seven games but are safe from relegation.
The Billy Goats will want to give their fans something to enjoy in their last home game of the season and it is, therefore, Werder’s job to make that as difficult as possible. "There will be a great atmosphere there and everyone involved will be trying to reward their fans. We certainly won’t even consider the possibility of them not giving their all," said Thomas Eichin.
Did you know that…
… one Green-White is the most prolific Bundesliga assist-giver of 2016? Eight of his ten assists this season have come in the second half, making him the player with the most this calendar year. In 14 games in the Rückrunde he has also set up 49 shots – another league record.
… Anthony Ujah used to be a Köln player? In 102 games at the club he scored 36 for them. The highlights for him were the season he helped them to promotion, scoring eleven goals, and the season he finished as the club’s top scorer with 13 in the 2012/13 season. With Werder, he has eleven in the Bundesliga. This is something he could add to against his former teammates…
… the team from Cologne will be without their captain against Bremen? 32-year-old Matthias Lehmann saw red after picking up two bookings in a 0-0 draw against Augsburg. This is not the first time he has been suspended this season, however, as he missed a game against Hamburg previously due to picking up too many yellow cards.
… Werder’s last win in Cologne came over a decade ago? The last win came in December of 2005 when the Green-Whites ran out victors, winning 4-1. Since then there have been two losses for Werder and three draws. On Saturday, the Green-Whites have the chance to spark a turn of tables, having won just six from 43 away games there.
… lots of those facing each other on Saturday have played with each other in the past? Fin Bartels and Köln captain Matthias Lehmann as well as Thomas Kessler all used to play together a St. Pauli. Köln’s Anthony Modeste played at Hoffenheim with Jannik Vestergaard while Anthony Ujah and Marcel Risse played together at Mainz.
… Werder’s Zlatko Junuzovic expects as compact team? "They will be compact in defence. They are structured but have become flexible and resilient. It’ll be hard to score against them," he said.
… Köln have the fifth best defence in the league? They have conceded 40 goals along with Hertha. Only Bayern, Dortmund, Leverkusen and Ingolstadt have let in fewer. Timo Horn has seven clean sheets this season so far.
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