Horst Steffen has come under criticism after the weak results of the past few weeks. He hopes that the Bremen fans will soon be more favorable to him again.
Shortly before Christmas things got uncomfortable at Werder. After the defeat in the northern derby, the 0:4 against VfB Stuttgart and only one point from the last four games, Steffen is coming into greater focus. A defeat on Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at FC Augsburg would completely ruin the mood before the festive season. Sports director Clemens Fritz explained to the “kicker” Meanwhile, a coaching debate “is an issue for us in no time at all.” Werder “doesn’t allow any discussion.”
However, the current criticism of his person in those around him has not gone unnoticed by Steffen. Bremen still lacks a successful offensive concept. No matter whether Victor Boniface, Samuel Mbangula or Cameron Puertas – none of the well-known summer signings have so far been a constant reinforcement. The fact that Marco Friedl has always been called up as left-back in defense for the past two months also raises questions.
Steffen: “That doesn’t feel so great”
“I can’t accuse myself of making major mistakes,” said Steffen at the press conference before the away game in Augsburg. But there are “certainly one or two topics that we could have done differently.” The coach shows understanding that the supporters are venting their anger a little.
I know that all Werder fans want us to perform as well as possible, play as well as possible and achieve the best possible result. When there are four games where we could have gotten more, but only one point remained, then it doesn’t feel so great.
(Werder coach Horst Steffen)
Will Werder soon be in a relegation battle?
At the final whistle after the 4-0 defeat against Stuttgart, the fans whistled in the Weser Stadium on Sunday evening. Bremen simply didn’t show enough on the pitch. After ten strong, good minutes at the start, the performance continued to decline. In the end, the team had to thank goalkeeper Mio Backhaus. Without him the result would have been even higher. The fans are currently rumbling. There are concerns that the club will quickly slip into the relegation battle.
I believe that Werder is simply big and that there are a lot of fans who want things to go up. And if things don’t improve, there is a dip and criticism comes, then I take it that way.
(Horst Steffen)
Steffen hopes for a quick improvement
Steffen is betting that things will soon look up again after the dry spell. As a coach, he reported, he had experienced both sides of the football business. The ones in which he was praised and celebrated because of good results. But also those in which he was criticized for poor results. He wants to fight to ensure that the atmosphere at Osterdeich is much better again soon – and that the fans are more favorable to him again.
I hope that it’s worth it and that people change when it’s successful again and the feeling is there: ‘Okay, the head coach has developed further, adapted and the results are good. And then we’re happy that he’s here.’
(Horst Steffen)
Boniface is missing again in Augsburg – can Friedl play?
Steffen is clear that “it’s good to start the winter break with a win in Augsburg.” However, in the last game of the year he has to do without several players. In addition to the long-term injuries Mitchel Weiser (torn cruciate ligament) and Felix Agu (syndesmotic ligament injury), Victor Boniface is also missing again due to a bruised knee. Karim Coulibaly is unavailable due to his suspension. Leonardo Bittencourt is currently ill. His commitment is in jeopardy.
It is also unclear whether Friedl, who suffered a bruised shoulder against Stuttgart, will be able to play. Steffen was “confident” about Samuel Mbangula, who had to stop training early on Wednesday afternoon.
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