Ole Werner in the press conference prior to the home fixture against Union

Neither Werder nor Union are satisfied with their start to the season. Ole Werner sees parallels between the two teams, identifying why they have not yet been able to reach their full potential. “They have similar problems to us after their new players joined later on,” analysed Werner. “In addition, they were missing key members of the team in Knoche and Khedira, which is evident in that certain aspects of their game aren’t as polished as in previous years. Their approach hasn’t changed though so we are preparing our solutions based on that.”

So far, both teams have six points on the board and occupy neighbouring positions in the table. However, this isn’t hugely important to Werner. “It would be silly attach so much meaning to the table after eight matches,” explained the 35-year-old. “We are aware of the situation and are able to assess it rationally and realistically. Where you are in the table only affects your game in the final stages of the season.”

After the 1-0 defeat in Dortmund, the Green-Whites have, on the one hand, discussed the positive things, and on the other, those that prevented them from getting a result at BVB. Werner, however, has not noticed a change of mood due to the good performance, because his players’ level of morale in training has been consistently good. “I am pleased with the lads in terms of the way that we work together,” he stressed. “We have a good mixture of both supporting each other and having the calmness to address certain things. We have to keep doing that for us to improve bit by bit and also get points on the board.”

????️ Ole Werner on the squad:

"Pavlenka, Stark, Groß and Keïta will all be absent this weekend, and Rapp has called in sick. Pieper was back on the training pitch today and is an option for the squad."#werder#svwfcupic.twitter.com/GGP5LFw8Ye

— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) October 26, 2023