Finding a way to get back on track together

Match preview of the home game against Hertha Berlin

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The players in a huddle before the game against Gladbach kicked off.

Werder will be looking to put an end to their patchy run of form by bagging three points in front of a sold-out home ground (Photo:W.DE).

preliminary report

Thursday, 27.10.2022 / 16:06

Friday evening, under the floodlights, in front of a sold-out crowd: the chance to put last week’s result out of our memory could not be any better. Hertha Berlin are the opponents stepping into the wohninvest WESERSTADION this Friday evening (28.10.22, 20:30 CEST). In the press conference ahead of the game, Ole Werner emphasised how important team spirit is, just as getting results have been slipping away from the team. “It is a fundamental for us to know that we can solve the many things which we face in the Bundesliga as a group.”

Ole Werner on the squad situation: “The situation is a lot better than it was a week ago. Manuel Mbom and Nicolai Rapp are both still missing, but Nicolai is making good progress at the moment. Otherwise, apart from Friedl who is suspended and Salifou who will play with the U23s, everyone else is ready to go. Also, everyone is in contention to start. For those who have been missing for a while, we will have to see how long it takes.” There are still question marks regarding Milos Veljovic’s availability for Friday’s game. Leo Bittencourt, who signed a contract extension this week, will be in the matchday squad.

On Hertha BSC: “Hertha are a side that defend really well. Offensively, as well, they have a lot of exceptional pace and power,” said head coach Werner, aware of the dangers that Hertha pose. After a tricky start to the season, the ‘Old Lady’ have become better and better as the season has gone on. They have only lost once in their last seven games. Last week, they came out on top against Schalke 2-1. Striker Dodi Lukebakio has been a vital factor behind their increase in form. Following a patchy pre-season, the pacey Belgian is currently Hertha’s leading goal contributor with 5 goals and an assist.

Werder especially enjoy playing against Hertha on a Friday

Leo Bittencourt dribbles away from Cunha during the 2020/21 season

Leo Bittencourt scored Werder's third goal in a 4-1 victory (Photo: Nordphoto).

Head-to-head record: The overall balance of matches between the two sides is in Werder’s favour. Of the 76 matches, Werder have won 37 times, whereas Hertha have come out on top 19 times in comparison. There have been 20 draws. The last two fixtures have been decisive results; during the 2020/21 season, Hertha beat Werder 4-1 at the WESERSTADION, before Bremen got revenge and won by the exact same scoreline inside the Olympiastadion.

It’s good that we’re playing under the lights: Werder have won all six games Friday home games against Hertha – with a total goal differential of 21:5. In addition, the ‘Old Lady’ have not won a single one of their last seven away games on a Friday evening (5 draws and 2 losses).

Our favourite opponent from this century: Since the beginning of this decade in 2000, the Green-Whites have enjoyed more success against Hertha than any other Bundesliga side (21 wins). The Berlin side suffered their second most defeats and goals conceded against Werder in the Bundesliga (37 losses and 173 goals conceded).