Werder’s head coach doesn’t want to think about the next rounds, and would rather “think from round to round”. For him, the focus lies exclusively on the upcoming opposition, from whom, after intensive analysis, he expects a team with a clear plan that “tries to play football, defend well and are used to playing out the back with a clear structure. According to Werner, the Green-Whites have to carry out their own assignments at 100% in order to compete. They must always expect to battle in defence and then still be disciplined enough to ensure there is good protection and a compactness to the team.”
After nearly six weeks of pre-season in which, according to the coach, “it is good to have this time with the team, as well as perhaps not having that immediate pressure”, the 34-year-old is now looking forward to the opener of the competitive season. “We are all athletes because we instinctively love competition.” After a good training session from his team, Werner has a good feeling going into the challenge of Cottbus, which will probably not be easy because of the stadium and the home fans. “It will be fiery in Cottbus. We’re expecting a sold out stadium. The crucial thing will be to go all out from the first minute. If we are careless and make simple mistakes, it could be a boost for Cottbus with the stadium behind them. Then the noise picks up and confidence grows. That makes it all the more important to be concentrated from the first minute”, warned Werder’s director of football and scouting Clemens Fritz. Werner isn’t worried about the team being overwhelmed by the atmosphere, however. “The boys who are on the pitch know all about the first round of the cup. So it’s all familiar to us, although the atmosphere in Cottbus can be particularly ferocious, especially in front of a sell-out crowd”, the head coach concluded.
