Goalkeeper Pavlenka is out: Werder Bremen faces BVB with defensive concerns

Zetterer plays in Dortmund

Werder Bremen will have to do without goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka (31) in the game at Borussia Dortmund. “It’s not something we’re expecting to be out for a very long time,” said coach Ole Werner about the Czech goalkeeper’s injury before the game on Friday (8:30 p.m./DAZN). Michael Zetterer (28) will represent him. “It’s annoying that Pavlas is missing, but we have a very good replacement in Zetti,” said Werner. Pavlenka returned from the national team with adductor problems.

The already expected failures of newcomer Naby Keïta (28) as well as defenders Niklas Stark (28) and Amos Pieper (25) are also hurting the 14th place in the table. Keïta, who only made his starting eleven debut against TSG Hoffenheim (2:3), will probably be out for a longer period due to a muscle injury.

On top of that, the Hanseatic League will meet their former top goalscorer Niclas Füllkrug (30) in Dortmund, who scored two goals during the German national team’s trip to the USA. “I’m looking forward to seeing Füllkrug again,” said Werner, but also added: “For me, in my everyday work, the fact that Niclas Füllkrug is playing on the other side is not a priority.”

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