There are just Bundesliga matches to go before the turn of the year. The final away match of 2024 awaits this Saturday, when the Green-Whites travel to face FC St. Pauli for a prime time 18:30 CET kick-off, 14/12/2024. Head coach Ole Werner looked ahead to the clash at the Millerntor during his press conference on Thursday, speaking about...
… potential changes in attack: “We have three strikers to choose from and always want to have one ready to make an impact off the bench. Like every player, Marco Grüll has potential for development. He’s more up with the pace of game now than compared to his first appearances. His hard work and intensity rub off on the other lads. However, he could do with more decisiveness in his finishing. Every player has areas where he can improve, but at the moment I’m happy with him and the way things have gone over his first half a year at the club. Oliver Burke is also doing really well at the moment. He’s impressed me and the rest of the coaching staff with the way he’s approached things over the past six months.”
… potential new arrivals in January: “It goes without saying that we are looking to bolster our options in the forward positions. Nevertheless, there are also players who are out at the moment who can improve further. We need to make a judgement based on the entire season regarding everyone’s roles if we have the whole squad available. We will look at what works best for us then and not just a quick fix for a few months but in the long run. That goes for every position, as well.”
… Romano Schmid: “Romano has had a busy year with a lot going on and not many extended breaks. He has become an essential part of the Austria national team. It is normal to see the toll that the numerous games and high workload takes come the end of the year. However, he is always someone who offers bundles of energy and does himself proud on that pitch. That can’t be rated highly enough. He is extremely important for us.”
Felix Agu will be unavailable to SV Werder Bremen for the remainder of the calendar year. ❌ An MRI scan revealed that the injury to his lateral collateral ligament is more serious than previously thought. All the best for your recovery, Felix! ???? #werder
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@en.werder.de) 12 December 2024 at 13:50
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… the final push before the winter break: “We have the opportunity to solidify a good position come Christmas, but that all depends on which team brings more energy. I do look at the table but I don't let that affect the way we go about things. We just want to end the year with two more positive results. The work doesn’t stop there, though. We want to continue our hard work in the new year.”
… the prime time clash at the Millerntor: “The atmosphere at the Millerntor will no doubt an extraordinary one. It should be a really special game, one that we are looking forward to, but we also have to stay focused. St. Pauli don't let you have many chances and do a lot of things well for a promoted side. We need to build on our defensive performances of late and capitalise on space when it opens up. Both teams pretty much know what to expect and it will be a close game, but one we want to win.”
… the way his side will go about things: “We want to remain accurate in possession in and around our defensive third as well as when we are put under pressure. That’s a key part of the development we have been working on. We’ve already shown good glimpses of that, working as a team, which provides us with more options tactically. In general, I’m happy with our progression, but there are still things that need addressing in terms of the finer details. The Bochum was a clear example of that.”
