… The two teams met just three months ago? Clemens Fritz and his teammates played against FCI at the end of the summer in a friendly, winning 1-0. The match-winner came from Fin Bartels shortly before half time. There was less to cheer about against Ingolstadt in the league however, with the Green-Whites losing 2-0 in Ingolstadt and 1-0 at home.
… This is a clash between the two dead ball experts? It is going to be a dangerous game for both team’s defenders. Both SV Werder and FCI have already scored 19 goals from set plays in the calendar year 2016. With such strong records, both teams lead the table for goals from set pieces in the Bundesliga.
... Moritz Hartmann ended a penalty streak last week? Moritz Hartmann is partly responsible for Ingolstadt’s strength at set-pieces, converting eight penalties in a row for the Bavarian club... until the last matchday. In their last game against VfL Wolfsburg, Hartmann missed his first spot kick in the top-flight. He scored all eight of this penalty kicks in the 2015/16 season, including one against Werder at the Weser-Stadion, as he came on as a substitute to win the game for Ingolstadt in the 93rd minute from the spot (1-0).
...Werder coach Alexander Nouri has an insider in his ranks? “I’ll share a small secret with you,” said the head coach in today’s press conference. “I’ve already spoken with Robert.” He of course meant Robert Bauer, who transferred from Ingolstadt to SVW this summer. “Robert was able to give me one or two good suggestions,” commented Nouri, who added it’s important to use the experience of his own players in the preparation for the upcoming opponent.