Just where are those Werder eyes looking at the moment? Well, certainly not downwards after last week’s 4-2 win over Ingolstadt. Now on the 40 point mark, the Green-Whites have achieved their season aim of avoiding relegation somewhat easily and with seventh place suddenly within reach, it’s natural that fans and players can start dreaming.
Though the hope of European football also brings with it a different type of expectation, the pressure of reaching an even higher aim. “We have achieved one goal and that can now act motivation to go and reach another aim.” It would be silly to create new pressures and say: ‘We definitely want to reach the Europa League.’ It is simply about continuing this run and winning games,” explains Lamine Sané
The central defender has taken a stance which can be echoed by the whole squad. “We do not want to think about the possible outcome, just concentrate on the remaining four games,” said Frank Baumann. Alexander Nouri also explained the current position in the table as a chance rather than a requirement. “I see that as a very positive bonus. It will be worth throwing ourselves into it.”
Far and wide there is no sense of pressure. Far from it. It can have the complete opposite effect. We are not afraid of not qualifying for Europe,“ said Nouri, explaining the approach his players will take. “The excitement of achieving a goal can sometimes to the players wanting it too much. We feel ready and want to keep building on this foundation we have created,” said the Werder coach during Thursday’s press conference.
The next chance to do this comes in the form of a home game against Hertha BSC, a fellow challenger for Europe, on Saturday afternoon. The club from the capital have been inside the European placings since the first matchday, but have lost the last eight away games in the Bundesliga. The pressure on Pal Dardai’s team will be greater.
