Three suspended players, several injured – and Bayer 04 Leverkusen as opponents. Werder coach Ole Werner advises: “Don’t whine, don’t complain.” And talks about opportunities for other professionals.
May have to step into the breach against Leverkusen: Naby Keita (left), Christian Groß. picture alliance / kolbert-press
The question of the personnel requirements at SV Werder Bremen is always at least mandatory before a Bundesliga game – but it is currently even more important. Gradually, a final line-up is being formed, with which the journey to the away game on Sunday at Bayer Leverkusen (5.30 p.m., LIVE on kicker) will begin.
In addition to the suspended Marco Friedl, Anthony Jung and Jens Stage, five other professionals are definitely out: Jiri Pavlenka (muscular problems), Skelly Alvero (shoulder injury from Friday training), Justin Njinmah (after ankle surgery), Niklas Stark (inner ankle ligament injury) and Amos Pieper, who has to undergo another operation. According to head coach Ole Werner, there is also “a question mark” with Marvin Ducksch: he also has ankle problems from training. The final session on Saturday should provide clarity about his commitment.
Werder personnel shortage? “It is all the more important to…”
Difficult omens for Werder – but Werner did it again on Friday, as he has always done in such tense weeks. His “job as a trainer” is now to “look for solutions and deal with the things that are there in the best possible way.” In any case, whining and complaining are out of the question for the 35-year-old, who demanded: “It is all the more important that we convince as a group.” Similar to last week in the 1-1 draw in Frankfurt, when the starting position wasn’t exactly ideal…
In view of the increasing personnel shortage, other professionals will once again be in demand in Leverkusen, including oldie Christian Groß in the thinned-out Bremen defense. “That’s obvious,” said Werner: “I won’t say anything about the line-up, but he will at least play a role during the game.” In one of his last appearances before the 35-year-old ends his active career at the end of the season. “He’s still good for us with his experience, his hard work, his meticulousness, his professionalism,” praised the Werder coach: “He’ll bring that into the last six games too.”
Werner on Keita: “The pace of the game is still an issue”
The extent to which Naby Keita can play “a role” again remains to be seen given the deficits that recently became clear during the international break. In the three weeks since then, the midfielder has trained occasionally, as Werner explained: “But on the whole, he certainly feels better physically.” However, when he came on as a substitute two weeks ago against Wolfsburg (0-2), we also heard that “the pace of the game is still an issue” that Keita needs to work on.
He didn’t play at all in Frankfurt recently, but perhaps the three-game suspension for Stage in particular means a chance for more playing time for the 29-year-old. “We will now need every man in the last few games,” emphasized Werner at least: “And Naby is certainly one of them.”
How does Leverkusen actually do that?
Bayer 04 Leverkusen are also playing against West Ham United and are on the verge of the first championship in the club’s history. kicker reporter Stephan von Nocks explains how this was all possible. Also: Almuth Schult is back in Germany – and Alexander Nübel extends his contract in Munich, but remains in Stuttgart.
55 minutes 15:39 minutes ago
2024-04-12 14:09:35
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