The task for SV Werder Bremen could hardly be more challenging at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga season on Sunday, 21.01.24, 15:30 CET. The Green-Whites are the visitors at FC Bayern München, with their last win against the Bavarian side coming 15 years ago. Nevertheless, it’s certainly possible for SVW to take something back with them on the long homeward journey to Bremen.
On the squad: Marvin Ducksch and Leonardo Bittencourt picked up their 5th yellow cards of the season in the 1-1 draw against VfL Bochum, meaning that they have to serve a one-game suspension in Munich. Additionally, Milos Veljkovic (knee pain) still isn’t available. Amos Pieper (broken ankle), Leon Opitz (ruptured ankle ligament) and Spyros Angelidis (broken hand) are also still doing rehabilitation work. Meanwhile, new signing Julian Malatini is still awaiting clearance to play, but he will be in the squad as long as he receives this in time.
Head coach Ole Werner on the opposition: “You’re aware of the challenge ahead of you when you go to Munich. Our aspiration is to defend as well as possible. We need to be prepared to have less possession than usual. In the moments when we have the ball, we need to come up with solutions. We can spend all day thinking that Bayern are a top team, but it’s our job to focus on our task.”
Previous meetings: No other Bundesliga fixture has been played more times than FC Bayern against SV Werder. The two teams are to face off against each other for the 114th time in the top-flight, with FC Bayern having frequently come out on top. The Green-Whites’ last win against the Bavarian side came over 15 years ago.
Preparation on the Atlantic Coast: Head coach Thomas Tuchel’s team decided to go their own way during the winter break and only travelled to Faro in Portugal for a training camp following the resumption of the Bundesliga (3-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim). Bayern focused on team building ahead of a busy week with three games due to their rearranged game against Union Berlin (24.01.). Joshua Kimmich wasn’t present due to the birth of his fourth child, whilst winter arrival Eric Dier left early in anticipation of the birth of his first child. However, the duo will once again be available for this weekend’s clash, but Serge Gnabry (muscle tendon injury), Min-Jae Kim (Asian Cup) and Noussair Mazraoui (AFCON) are set to miss the game.
