SV Werder Bremen’s game on Friday (20.10.2023, 20:30 CEST) away at Borussia Dortmund isn’t just a return to his old club for Marvin Ducksch. It will also be the first clash against his former strike partner Niclas Füllkrug following his move to BVB. “We last spoke on the phone shortly before the international break, but I’m sure that we will be back in touch with each other tomorrow or the day after,” Werder’s attacker told the press on Tuesday.
Füllkrug and other BVB internationals are currently away with their national teams, which Ducksch sees as a possible advantage. Nevertheless, he expects an intense game “in which we will need to have a perfect day.” The Green-Whites don’t want to change anything to do with their approach. “We want to be brave, and then we will get our chances. We need to defend as a collective and stop conceding so many goals.”
The Werder players not called up for their national teams starting laying down the foundations for this during the international break. “We had a good week of training and now we’re waiting for the lads to come back and to have a few more good sessions,” says Ducksch. “We know what we have to work on and the lads are doing that. I see it every day in training. Nobody’s running around with their head down. Everyone’s trying their best.”
In order to bring that onto the pitch in the best possible way, Ducksch wants to take on more of a role as a leader. “I think that I still have to take another step forwards and lead the way,” reflects the right-footed striker. “In one or two games over the past few weeks, nobody has stepped up into that role.” In particular, he means situations like in Heidenheim, where SVW lost their way after the equaliser. “In phases like that, you need a few lads on the pitch who speak up and take responsibility,” says Ducksch. “I see that as my job.”
