Just before the trend-setting top game against SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday (8:30 p.m.), Werder Bremen are again plagued by a few worries after weeks of euphoria. Is the direct return to the Bundesliga in danger again?
In the eleventh game under new coach Ole Werner, Werder Bremen suffered their first defeat last weekend at 1. FC Heidenheim.
“It’s hit us again after a long time and now we can see how we deal with it – also with the personnel issues. We have a week to prepare for Darmstadt. We’re really looking forward to the game in front of a full house in the Weser Stadium “, Werner summarized at the press conference after the setback in the Voith Arena.
Werder Bremen suffer numerous failures
It’s not just the missed points that hurt Werder, but rather the long-term absences of captain Ömer Toprak, Marco Friedl and Mitchell Weiser. They are hardly replaceable pillars in Bremen’s back line.
The fact that there was also a positive corona test on Thursday with top scorer Marvin Ducksch was the next bad news for the green-whites.
In view of the setback in Heidenheim and the precarious personnel situation, Werner faces his first difficult test in Bremen.
So far, the former Holstein Kiel coach has turned out to be an absolute stroke of luck for Werder. The 33-year-old was already on the list of sports director Frank Baumann last summer.
But it was only after the Imfpass affair and the resignation of predecessor Markus Anfang that we started working together, on the second try, so to speak.
Nine wins in ten games for Werder Bremen
Under Werner, Bremen managed an unbelievable nine wins in ten games and thus an impressive comeback.
Werner brought the joy of playing back to the Osterdeich. The team impressed with attacking football. In addition, it presents itself again as a unit. This new strength was particularly evident in tight and critical games (like the 4:3 in Paderborn).
The necessary self-confidence has also returned in the meantime – and also the enthusiasm around the Weser Stadium, for which the negative news of the past few days (for the time being) are only a small damper.
Darmstadt 98 is “in the mood” for the duel with Werder Bremen
But opponents Darmstadt need not hide either. Coach Torsten Lieberknecht’s team travels to the far north as table leaders. The Lilies are playing their best two-league season since 1980.
“We worked hard for the situation and the top games like in Bremen. Everyone is up for it,” said captain Fabian Holland, looking forward to the duel with Werder.
The chest of the third-best away team in the league could hardly be broader after five games unbeaten.
“We have to score, score, score,” Lieberknecht drew something positive from the actually disappointing 1-1 draw against Sandhausen.
In view of the strong competition and the tight table situation, this route is understandable. Because in the end it can be exactly this one counter that makes the difference. “The team’s stability is there for what’s to come,” said Lieberknecht.
“We have to be very vigilant against Werder Bremen”
Even the poor start to the season, the early exit in the first round of the DFB Cup at 1860 Munich or the harsh 0:5 home slap against HSV in early February did not cause any unrest in the club. “Because,” said Lieberknecht at the time, “hardly anything has changed in the table.”
With the lightness of the underdog, the usual aggressive duel behavior and the increased self-confidence, Darmstadt now wants to hold its own against Werder on Saturday.
“When you win such highlight games, you’re right at the top. Or not,” goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen summed up the starting position.
Despite the numerous absentees, Lieberknecht warned of the coming opponents: “We have to be very vigilant against Werder Bremen – it doesn’t matter who will play on the offensive after Marvin Ducksch’s absence.”
Dominik Kenter