When it comes to SV Werder Bremen’s points tally this season, Ömer Toprak is a guarantor. And as captain, beyond that too.
There was simply no getting past him. The 96 pros tried high balls, short balls, deep balls – but in the vast majority of cases it ended up with Ömer Toprak, whether in the air or on the ground. A duel rate of 78 per cent proved the dominance that the Turk once again exuded as the central man of Bremen’s three-man backline in last Sunday’s 4-1 away win in Hannover.
Toprak with the best Bremen grade average
The 32-year-old’s 91 ball contacts proved that he was also the most influential Werder professional – none had more than the player of the match, who was awarded the grade 1.5 by kicker. In general, Toprak has the best average grade in Bremen (2.75), but only eight of the 18 second division matches played so far were included in the evaluation – which has so far prevented him from being included in the league-wide best list.
The defender, who has been injury-prone throughout his career, missed six games from Matchday 7 to Matchday 12. Calf problems gave him a hard time. His absence, in turn, also made itself felt for Werder; during this phase, the club only picked up one win, with three defeats and two draws.
When Toprak has been in the starting eleven this season, his team’s points average has been 2.0. FC St. Pauli lead the second division table after matchday 18 with 36 points – but of course these are only theoretical games. The fact is: without the head of defence, the Bremen team only scored an average of 1.61 points per game.
Werner’s praise for Toprak
Ole Werner has so far only known the fit Ömer Toprak, who has always been able to start from the beginning, most recently five times in a row, including three times under the new Werder coach, who relies completely on him: “Ömer is one of the players who has already experienced a lot and who a) because of the experience and b) with his footballing quality simply plays a central role for us” – which, as far as Werner can say so far, he “fully embodies”.
Toprak’s contract expires
Furthermore, Toprak is “leading the way on and off the pitch” and brings his skills “in a way that you want from a captain”, praised Bremen’s coach. Let’s hope that he remains injury-free. Also because the new year could be a landmark one for Toprak personally – his contract with Werder expires at the end of the season.
