Keep a cool head

Match preview of Werder’s clash against Borussia Dortmund

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Niclas Füllkrug celebrates by flexing
Niclas Füllkrug has scored in back-to-back games (Photo: WERDER.DE).
preliminary report
Friday, 19.08.2022 / 14:00

Werder Bremen, after two draws to open the season, head to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 20.08.22 (15:30 CEST). Dortmund are the only other side besides Bayern to have taken maximum points to start the season and are considered favourites on paper. Head coach Ole Werner, however, does not want to let that impress him. “You have to recognise the moments in such games as these when you are challenged as a team to withstand the pressure and to keep a cool head,” explained Werner before adding: “you have to look at which opportunities your opponent gives you when you are in possession. It will be important not only to defend but also to be dangerous ourselves, if we want to survive there.”

On the squad: Werner can draw on his entire squad for the away trip to Dortmund. “Only Manuel Mbom and Dikeni Salifou are unavailable due to health reasons. All the others are candidates for the squad;” the 34-year-old announced. Jiri Pavlenka, Marvin Ducksch and Amos Pieper, who were still working individually at the beginning of the week but have since returned to team training, are also in the squad.

On Dortmund: “Dortmund are a team that has lots and lots of pace in possession, but a lot of power at the same time. Of course, you have to think about how you defend against everything they have. It doesn’t make much sense to look at just one player now, because they have quality players generally all around the pitch. Especially their attacking options are very variable. Anthony Modeste is, of course, a player who is at his best in the penalty area and is tough to defend against when crosses and high balls come in,” said Werner.

A long history

Marco Friedl fights off Julian Brandt
Marco Friedl und Julian Brandt will meet again on Saturday (Photo: nordphoto).

Previous clashes: In total, the two teams will meet for the 115th time in the competition. BVB have come out on top in the last three Bundesliga matches. However, SVW have knocked out Dortmund in the Pokal round of 16 twice. In 2020, Werder beat the Black and Yellows 3-2 in front of their home crowd, and a year earlier SVW triumphed 4-2 on penalties at the Signal-Iduna-Park.

Werder’s goal guarantee: Niclas Füllkrug became the first Werder player since Torsten Frings in 2010/11 to score in the first two games of the Bundesliga season. Only Ivan Klasnic (2005/06), Norbert Meier (1981/82) and Per Røntved (1977/78) have achieved the feat of scoring on each of the first three games of the season. In fact, ‘Fülle’ has scored in six games in a row.

Time for a correction: Head coach Werner has only faced Borussia Dortmund once in his professional career: In May 2021, he lost 5-0 against BVB in the semi final of the Pokal with Holstein Kiel – against Edin Terzic. This is his biggest defeat as a head coach.

 

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