Preview of the away match against Fortuna Düsseldorf

The head coach on the game: During the week, Markus Anfang emphasised in a press conference that the time factor is playing a key role at the moment. "We have to focus on the basics and work on getting those right. Naturally we want to win every game, but you also have to give the boys time to develop in order to be able to build stability. We have to take the 2. Bundesliga head on," explained Anfang at the pre-match press conference. Nevertheless, the strategy against an opponent who make "a lot of runs from deep" and are “good at positional changes” is clear: "We have to force more opportunities so that we become more of a threat in front of goal. It's up to the players to get into these positions. We have to do that better against Düsseldorf.”

The last meeting: The two sides last faced each other in the 2019/20 Bundesliga season on matchday 18. Werder came away from the away clash 1-0 winners against Düsseldorf, who were direct rivals to the Green-Whites in the table. The decisive goal came towards the end of a mixed game as Niklas Moisander met a free kick with his head at the far post in the 67th minute, with the goal going down as an own goal as the ball bounced off the shoulder of Düsseldorf goalkeeper Kastenmeier and over the line. In the final minutes of the match, SVW's former captain Moisander was shown a second yellow, however Werder were able to pick up the three points despite the dismissal.