Head coach Ole Werner and head of professional football Clemens Fritz answered journalists’ questions ahead of the final game of the first round of matches in Bochum on Sunday, 14th January at 15:30 CET. Squad news was the main focus of the press conference.
Leonardo Bittencourt was critical in the Mixed Zone on Wednesday after the friendly defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, but the team have put a line through this after a discussion between Clemens Fritz, Frank Baumann and Leonardo Bittencourt. “We had a good conversation. We've now put it behind us and are focusing on preparing for the game against Bochum,” explained Clemens Fritz at the press conference.
The Green-Whites are in any case focussing on the sporting task ahead of them at Castroper Straße. “I'm looking forward to it all starting up again,” commented Ole Werner on the coming game at VfL. “The atmosphere will make it an amazing game in Bochum. It's not a big stadium, so it's quite claustrophobic and there can be a real buzz. The team are also looking forward to the match.”
One player who definitely will not be travelling with the rest of the squad to Bochum is Milos Veljkovic. The Serbia international, who also missed last week’s friendly against Eintracht Braunschweig, will not be involved in the Green-Whites’ first Bundesliga match of the year due to knee pain.
That’s why Werner thinks it’s even more important that his team think back to their success last year when they face off against Bochum. “It’s a really tough test. It’s important that we go into the match with the confidence that we had last year.”
:sprechende_silhouette: Ole Werner on Rafael Borré:
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) January 12, 2024
"Rafa is very professional. I haven't noticed any changes in that since he arrived. He will be in the squad on Sunday."#werder#bocsvwpic.twitter.com/ZV4zbw22XO
Clemens Fritz also acknowledged that the game in Bochum won’t be a gimme. “The game is going to be a fiery occasion that might even get ugly at times. We’re playing one of our direct rivals. That’s why it’s crucial that we’re at the races from the word go in order to soak in the atmosphere and give it everything we’ve got.”
