“Sunday is a thousand times more important”

Leonardo Bittencourt in the mixed zone

Leonardp Bittencourt running with the ball at his feet.
Leonardo Bittencourt doesn't attribute much importance to the friendly in Braunschweig (Photo: W.DE).
First Team
Wednesday, 10.01.2024 / 15:40

There are some important weeks to come for SV Werder when the second half of the season begins on Sunday, 14.01.2024, 15:30 CET away at VfL Bochum. With a win away from home, the Green-Whites could give themselves some breathing space rivals who are level on points with them, before taking on these rivals in head-to-head clashes in the coming weeks. However, Leonardo Bittencourt wasn’t able to confirm whether these are the most important games of the season. “We also need to keep on picking up points following this in order to achieve our goals. There are still 18 games left to play and not only five or six,” the midfielder emphasised in the mixed zone on Wednesday.

The fact that Werder lost their only friendly before the resumption of the season in the New Year did admittedly annoy Bittencourt, but he doesn’t attribute great importance to the 3-1 loss away at Eintracht Braunschweig. “We would’ve hoped for a different outcome, but don’t think it’s pivotal,” Werder’s number ten explained. 

Focusing on competitive action

Leonardo Bittencourt in front of the microphone.
Bittencourt spoke clearly in the mixed zone (Photo: W.DE).

The Green-Whites would have liked to play two 60-minute halves against the 2. Bundesliga side, but opted to play a standard game of 90 minutes instead due to a few players being absent. “You can see that some of the boys are missing and that we don’t have the squad depth that we’d like to have,” said the midfielder about possible winter arrivals. “That’s why I’m hoping we bring some players in who can help us out straight away and don’t need much time to settle in.” That being said, Bittencourt is confident that the squad has enough quality to achieve their goal of staying in the Bundesliga.

For this reason, Leo believes that it’s now important for the boys to put the friendly from the weekend behind them and turn their focus to the upcoming opponent. “The game on Sunday is a thousand times more important to me than the one against Braunschweig,” said the 30-year-old. “Playing in Bochum isn’t easy. If anyone says during the week that the game will be like another friendly, it won’t end well for us.” Bittencourt wants to personally prevent this from happening. “I know my boys, and I know myself. We should be able to manage that.”  

 

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