Two days off will have to do. Werder Bremen play VfL Wolfsburg this evening in the first of two games this week at 20:15 (CEST) and the message is clear. Bremen need to start picking up points.
Two days off will have to do. Werder Bremen play VfL Wolfsburg this evening in the first of two games this week at 20:15 (CEST) and the message is clear. Bremen need to start picking up points.
WERDER.DE summarised the most important talking points ahead of the game against Wolfsburg.
Hark back to last season: Alexander Nouri looks back on the fifth matchday of last season with fond memories. After four winless games, Bremen recorded the first three points of the season against Wolfsburg, coming out 2-1 winners. Lennart Thy and Theodor Gebre Selassie got on the scoresheet for the Green-Whites, the deciding goal coming in the dying minutes to cause scenes of euphoria among the fans, staff and players. It was Alexander’s Nouri’s first win as Werder coach.
Head-to-head: Werder can look back with confidence at the club’s past games against Wolfsburg, winning both matches 2-1 last season.
100% focused: Wolfsburg’s recent change of head coach has not had any effect on Werder’s preparation. “It doesn’t concern us. We need to bring our A game and be 100% focused for 90 minutes,” said Florian Kainz. Alexander Nouri agrees, “We’ll concentrate on ourselves and try to play the best we can. We’ll see if the change of head coach has any effect on VfL but it will have no impact on how we play.”
Preview: After the unlucky defeat to Schalke 04, Werder’s head coach knows what is on the line: “We have to be ready for anything. If we rise to the challenge in Wolfsburg and push ourselves to the limit, I’m optimistic we can pick up three points.” Frank Baumann, SV Werder sporting director, continued, “We’re convinced that we’re heading in the right direction. The points will come sooner or later.”
The 12th man: 12,500 Werder fans will be making the short trip to Wolfsburg to support the Green-Whites.
Squad update: The whole squad is fit for the Wolfsburg match apart from Max Kruse and long-term absentees Zlatko Junuzovic and Niklas Moisander. Lamine Sané is still a doubt following a knock picked up against Schalke. “We think Lamine will be able to play on Tuesday,” said Nouri in his press conference. The game will come too early for Niklas Moisander, who returned to team training last week, but he is not quite match-fit.
The referee: Dr. Felix Brych will oversee proceedings in Wolfsburg. He refereed both of last year’s Nordderbys. His assistants will be Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp. The fourth official is Lasse Koslowski and the Video Assistant is Guido Winkmann.
