SV Werder Bremen travel to face SV Darmstadt 98 on Sunday afternoon (01/10/23, 15:30 CEST). The Green-Whites find themselves once again facing a newly-promoted side after coming off a home win, as was the case just two matchdays ago (4-0 win H vs. Mainz, 4-2 defeat A vs. Heidenheim). Head coach Ole Werner’s side are looking to draw on the lessons learned from the defeat in Heidenheim in order to deliver an improved performance at the Böllenfalltor.
Team news: Niklas Stark will miss the match against Darmstadt due to an injury, head coach Ole Werner confirmed during the pre-match press conference. A decision on whether Marco Friedl (muscle injury near ribs) and Naby Keïta (ill) will be able to play will be made after the final training session on Saturday. Felix Agu will also not travel, as he is still working on his comeback.
Head coach Ole Werner on the opponent: "We expect Darmstadt to play aggressively and to their strengths: pace in attack, variations in their build-up play and set pieces. We'll set up as best we can to combat this. It will also be important for us to have the right intensity, clarity and mental freshness. We’re focused on our own performance. Our main aim will otherwise be to build on the last 60 to 65 minutes against Köln.”
Head-to-head: This will be the eighth time these two sides are meeting in the Bundesliga. Both teams have won twice, with the other four matches ending in a draw. The Green-Whites celebrated a 2-0 home win in their most recent top-flight game against the Lilies, with Max Kruse netting a brace on matchday 23 in 2016/17.
Leaky at the back: Darmstadt have shipped a league-high 16 goals already after the first five matchdays. Goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen has conceded at least three goals in each of their last four games. Additionally, the Lilies have the second-highest Expected Goals Against value (13.3) and have given away the most clear-cut chances of any side in the division (15).
Goal guaranteed: There has never been a goalless draw between these sides in the Bundesliga. SV Werder have scored eight times in their last three league matches, while Darmstadt have found the back of the net at least once in each of their games since their 1-0 defeat in Frankfurt on the opening weekend.
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— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) September 28, 2023
