Werder Bremen Faces Crucial Week with Potential Season-Shaping Results
As Werder Bremen embarks on a pivotal week of fixtures, the club’s hopes for a successful season hang in the balance. With matches against SC Freiburg and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga and Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB-Pokal, the upcoming week could determine the trajectory of Bremen’s campaign.
"We are now entering the decisive phase, where trends will emerge," said Werder head coach Ole Werner.
After securing just one victory in their first seven games of the year, the Green-Whites find themselves under pressure heading into Friday’s clash with Freiburg. Bremen has slipped to tenth place in the league, while Freiburg sits in fifth, six points ahead. A defeat in this direct encounter could put Freiburg out of reach for Werder.
Despite Bremen’s recent struggles, Werner remains confident in his team. "Such phases occur over the course of a season. I’m still extremely convinced of my players," he stated.
In the wake of Bremen’s disappointing 1-3 loss to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim last weekend, Werner has attempted to instill a sense of optimism and camaraderie within the squad. He has joked with reporters, exuded calmness, and expressed unwavering belief.
"We cannot allow ourselves to be influenced by external factors. We need to focus on the essentials and perform to our abilities," he emphasized.
Sporting director Clemens Fritz echoed Werner’s sentiments, refraining from harsh criticism of the team. "The strong first half of the season naturally raised certain expectations and hopes, both internally and externally," Fritz said. "The team delivered consistently and perhaps even played beyond their limits."
Now, the challenge lies in regaining the form that propelled Bremen to success in December. However, the club will be without defender Milos Veljkovic for the Freiburg match due to back problems. Werner hopes Veljkovic will be fit in time for Tuesday’s DFB-Pokal quarterfinal against Arminia Bielefeld.
Fortunately, Jens Stage is set to return against Freiburg. The Danish midfielder has recovered from muscular issues and is likely to start.
"Jens is a very important player for us. He possesses many attributes that benefit us. He is still our leading goalscorer," Werner remarked.
Stage will play a crucial role in transforming Bremen’s week into a period of success and initiating a turnaround. Werner firmly believes in his team’s ability to achieve positive results in all three upcoming fixtures.
"We see these matches as three opportunities and we are confident in our ability to secure points in each of them," he concluded.
