A transfer in the summer failed, Marco Friedl stayed at Werder Bremen – and could play in front of home fans for the first time since his “strike” on Friday against Heidenheim. The Austrian is already anticipating a certain reaction from the fans.
It was a turbulent summer for Marco Friedl: With a cancellation for the match against Hansa Rostock, the Austrian tried to secure a transfer to Union Berlin and the Bundesliga at the end of August – which ultimately failed. Friedl stayed at Werder Bremen and recently apologised publicly in an interview with kicker. Last week, against Dynamo Dresden, the Austrian was back on the pitch and in the starting line-up for the first time. Also on Friday (18.30, LIVE! at kicker) against Heidenheim in front of the home fans?
Should it come to that, the 23-year-old is prepared for different reactions from the supporters, as he explained in Wednesday’s presser. “I think that the feedback from the fans or the messages from the fans have been very positive again so far and they understand my situation a little bit now,” Friedl says via an Instagram post in which he explained himself. He therefore expects his return to the Weser Stadium to be normal. “Should it be different, it is of course also that it is part of football or our profession.” He said he was trying to “concentrate on his performance” and win the game with the team. “I want to look ahead,” he clarified, pledging his allegiance to SVW.
Unconvincing performance against Dresden
However, it is questionable whether Friedl will play from the start again on Friday. The former Bayern player was preferred to Lars-Lukas Mai against Dresden because of his experience and his left foot. But will these attributes also be in demand against in-form Heidenheim? The defence around Friedl conceded three goals in Dresden, and he was not really convincing himself (kicker rating 4.5). Ultimately, however, the whole team “did not implement many of the things we had planned”.
The “only positive”: “That we will play again in two days”. Against Heidenheim, the versatile defender is now calling for more fighting spirit. “In the 2nd division, a lot is decided by attitude and fight – we have seen that clearly in the last games,” said Friedl. “You can’t decide the game with footballing qualities alone.”
