Head coach Ole Werner speaks in his press conference ahead of the away game against Hertha BSC

The Green-Whites are expecting a special away game with around 25,000 Werder fans estimated to be making the journey to support the team at the Olympiastadion. “That will obviously give us strength with the fans behind us,” said Werner. “We are pleased about the support, it will give the game a special feeling.” Still, Werner suggested the team will have to focus on themselves and “keep a cool head” despite the emotion involved, in order to “play our game”. “In this hot phase of the season,” explained the 34-year-old, “No team will be holding back.”

Hertha BSC changed head coach before the game, with Pál Dárdai replacing Sandro Schwarz for his third spell in charge of the ‘Old Lady’. In the shape of Mitchell Weiser and Niklas Stark, SVW have two players who played under the 47-year-old for Hertha. “Obviously there will be some changes with them,” said Werner, who himself has a past with Hertha having spent a year boarding there as a youth team player. “We can’t be certain how they will set up. Because of that, it’s all the more important that we reflect on our own strengths.”

Since the beginning of the season, the Green-Whites have had one aim: staying up. This is something that their upcoming opponents definitely would also like to achieve. Despite the special nature of the game, Werner doesn’t want to additionally increase the meaning of the game. “For us, it is always about trying to win our next game,” said the head coach. “We are completely clear what’s at stake. We know what our aims are and can reach exactly these aims in this phase of the season.”

????️ Ole Werner on the squad situation:

"Everyone was at training today and Niclas Füllkrug trained fully, but there is still a small question mark as to whether he can play. We'll take it day by day."#werder#BSCSVWpic.twitter.com/1SDkBPzdMp

— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 20, 2023