The 2022/23 Bundesliga season is well and truly on the final straight. SV Werder’s final home game of the season is on Saturday, 20th May against 1. FC Köln (15:30 CEST), and Ole Werner’s side are looking to make a decisive step towards their pre-season goal of staying up. “It’s getting a bit tense, as it usually does during the run-in. It’s the final few metres of the race which always brings a certain element of tension,” revealed Werner at his pre-match press conference.
There are many situations that could play out this weekend which leave SVW safely in the Bundesliga next season, the simplest of them being a win against their guests from Cologne – and that’s the only scenario Werner is focusing on. “That’s where our efforts are being steered towards. Everything else is out of our hands and so we’re only bothered about what we can control,” confirmed Werner. “And even if other results go for us, we’ve still got aspirations to win the game in front of our fans and secure our Bundesliga status.”
Werner is optimistic following a good week of training and the return of some key players. The team have worked very hard in training and the sessions had a good intensity about them. “I’m pleased with how the squad has conducted themselves in training this week. But as always, the question remains whether the weekend’s performance will match that,” commented the 35-year-old. “We’re confident we’ll be able to win our last home game, especially with the fans behind us, and make the last step towards safety.” It now just depends on whether we’ll take that last step together. “That’s often the most difficult aspect, and so all our efforts are concentrated on that and not what that could mean for the future, but simply what that could mean for this season.”
Niclas Füllkrug will be able to help out after overcoming his calf problem and rejoining team training this week, and he is set to make his return to the squad after five weeks on the sideline. “We’re glad to see him back. It increases our chances to win the game and other things as well.” There are clear expectations of the striker: “Just like with any other player, I’m expecting him to bring his quality and character to the game as he always does, and that he gives his all on the pitch.”
????️ Ole Werner on #SVWKOE:
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) May 19, 2023
"Köln are coming in with momentum are a physical team, that's why I'm glad that the squad situation has improved again. We want to pick up points on Saturday and ideally also achieve our aim for the season." #werderpic.twitter.com/grNcIQC98R
