On Saturday evening, Werder will take on Schalke in the Weser Stadium. SVW coach Markus Anfang will have to change his formation.
“Two traditional clubs will meet, so it is a special game,” said Anfang at the press conference on Thursday. “It will be a big challenge for us. We have to do everything to play a good home game and keep the three points here.”
Bremen have great respect for their opponents. “They have been able to prepare for the season quite early, accordingly they have also made transfers. With Palsson, Terodde, Drexler, Zalazar or Bülter, they have brought in very good players for the 2nd division,” says the Bremen coach, who does not expect a different approach from his opponents despite the three recent league defeats of the Königsblauen: “They will not perform differently just because they have now lost two league games. Before that, they played very successfully. And they haven’t lost any quality either, of course.”
From Bremen’s point of view, however, one could at least argue that the momentum is on SV Werder’s side. Against the league leaders and currently the best team in the league, FC St. Pauli, SVW kept up very well, playing 1:1. In Nuremberg, the North Germans put in a strong performance, turning around a 0:1 and winning late, but completely deserved, 2:1. On the other hand, the Schalkers lost three competitive games in a row. “The trend is already rather positive, that can give us a bit of tailwind,” Anfang also said, although he also added: “I’d be happy if everyone stayed together for once, that hasn’t happened now.”
How long can Toprak play?
Because in addition to the two suspended players Marco Friedl and Nicolai Rapp, Werder must also do without the injured and absolutely set centre-back Milos Veljkovic. Anfang is now challenged to rebuild his three-man defensive line. Captain Ömer Toprak is expected to start. But after his long period out of action, there are of course one or two unknowns. “He has been able to prepare for the game for 14 days and has been able to take part in every session. He is in a condition where he can help us. How long and at what point, we’ll see,” as always, the Bremen coach did not let his cards show.
Anfang on Bittencourt: “Has a supporting role “
There are many indications that Toprak will also start alongside Anthony Jung. The third place in the defensive line will probably be taken by Lars Lukas Mai or Christian Groß. One player who will most certainly be back in the starting eleven after his wild card appearance in Nuremberg, including the winning goal, is Leonardo Bittencourt. For Anfang, this is an immensely important player: “We need experienced players, Leo is one of them. He was voted vice-captain, which shows his status in the team. It’s important to have players like that and to see them on the court for the most part. He already has a supporting role with us. “
In terms of line-ups, then, there are still some unknowns for the Green-Whites. There is also the question of how fit Romano Schmid and Ilia Gruev are after their international trips. All things that Anfang has to clarify and consider in terms of line-ups. But even though the coach doesn’t have all his men on board, he is in a positive mood: “I’m in good spirits. The team has a good team spirit, is very positive, very ambitious. They’re determined to go one better. “
