After two significant defeats against the newly promoted team, Ole Werner is gradually coming under pressure at Werder Bremen. The possible starting eleven debut of royal transfer Naby Keita gives hope.
Ole Werner is not easily upset. “To be honest, I don’t even notice it,” said the Werder Bremen coach when asked about the recent increased criticism of himself. But despite the calm and twelfth place in the Bundesliga: the wind on the Weser is getting rougher – and Werner is coming under increasing pressure after the bumpy start to the season.
“I concentrate on what I can influence directly,” said the 35-year-old before the important assessment against the strong TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday (6:30 p.m./Sky): “That is my core business, and that has put us in the position We’ve been in a really good position over the last few years.”
The pressure from outside is an unusual feeling for the young coach, because Werner and Werder – for a long time it seemed like a perfect symbiosis. The level-headed North German took over the scepter at the traditional club in November 2021, led Bremen back into the Bundesliga and kept the class there. But recently, even the Bremen media, which is not usually known for activism, questioned the coach, who has a points average of 1.05 that could be improved in the Bundesliga.
Fritz supported Werner
The main reason for Bremen’s worries: the blatant weakness away from home. There were two well-deserved defeats against the two newly promoted teams from Heidenheim and Darmstadt, and the cup was over after a 3-2 defeat at third division side Viktoria Köln in the first round.
Werder conceded an adventurous eleven goals in the three games. The Hoffenheim game is unlikely to be a “final” for Werner – team boss Clemens Fritz recently publicly supported him.
“We are a team that is developing and has not managed to find the right answer to early setbacks in the games,” says Werner, who, despite all the worries, also has reason to be hopeful.
Werder has done its homework at home so far. In the 4-0 win against Mainz, even the offensive, weakened by the departure of national player Niclas Füllkrug, appeared well-oiled – against 1. FC Köln (2-1), the team showed morale and turned around a deficit. “We have to focus on the home games,” demands Werner.
How fit is Werder star Keita?
And the coach has another trump card up his sleeve: Royal transfer Naby Keita, who has only made short appearances so far, is, as Werner says, “significantly better physically” after his muscle injury during preparation. He could make his starting debut at the weekend as a longed-for stabilizer.
The importance of the game against Hoffenheim has also been recognized by the supporters who want to support their team with a special campaign: There will be a fan march through the city before the game.