Werder will play on a Friday evening (18:30 CEST) for the first time this season. Head coach Markus Anfang knows that it will be no easy task against the side that currently sits third in the table, but the Green-Whites want to take on the challenge with conviction: “I can see the desire and motivation in our young team. We want to show our quality on the pitch and have to do everything in our power to do that and play well,” said Anfang on Thursday.
The squad: Christian Groß, Nick Woltemade and Ömer Toprak are all unavailable for the weekend. Felix Agu and Leonardo Bittencourt could take part in training this week, but Bittencourt is not expected to make his return against Heidenheim. Agu is in contention for a place in the squad.
The head coach on the game: A tough task awaits SV Werder on Friday in 1. FC Heidenheim. The visitors are third in the table and have started the season in exceptional form. Markus Anfang commented: “The table is not the most important thing to focus on. If we play with desire and passion then many things are possible.” Even so, the 47-year-old knows all about Heidenheim’s strong start to the season: “They have shown time and time again that they can play at a high level, and they have very experienced players who provide them with consistency,” explained Anfang. He went on to say: “FCH will want to win the game. They won’t be flustered and they know what their strengths are. That’s the way they will perform,” the coach concluded.
Head to head: Friday will be the first time Werder and Heidenheim have played against each other in the 2. Bundesliga. They have played four times in the past, twice in the DFB-Pokal and twice in the relegation playoff in 2019/20. SV Werder have won once, drawn twice and lost once. Most recently was a 2-2 draw on 06.07.2020, in which the Green-Whites retained their top-flight status. After the first leg ended goalless, the second was an intense match with lots of chances. An early own-goal from Norman Theuerkauf (3’) gave Werder the lead, but despite a fiery contest, neither side could find a way through for a long time. In the 85th minute, Tim Kleindienst levelled for Heidenheim to give them hope, but Ludwig Augustinsson put the game to bed after a cross from Fin Bartels (90’+4). In the eighth minute of added time, Kleindienst scored from the penalty spot to equalise again.
In-form Heidenheim: With 15 points from eight games, Heidenheim have equalled their best ever start to a season. They are also the only team in the league not to have conceded in a first half this season and, with only six goals conceded, are the league’s best defence.
Highest and lowest numbers in the division: SV Werder have had the most shots at goal in the league this season with 141. So far, it’s been making the most of those chances that has been their issue, which has to be better against Heidenheim. The Green-Whites have also allowed the fewest shots on their goal (85), whilst Heidenheim have had 103 shots against them.
Stats compiled by WERDER.DE and Opta.
