Dawid Kownacki’s desire to get himself in top shape ahead of the 2024/25 season has already been evident in numerous training session during the ten-day training camp in Austria. The Polish striker also shone in the 2-2 friendly draw against Sheffield Wednesday, scoring a goal and starting the move which put Werder 2-0 ahead. He received praise from head coach Ole Werner, who also outlined his prospects for the season.
SV Werder certainly expected more of Kownacki after he signed, with the forward only playing 364 Bundesliga minutes last season. At the same time, the seven-time Poland international himself is hoping for more playing time in the future. “Dawid has been with us for a year now, and had his opportunities mainly during the first third of last season, but perhaps was also a bit unlucky with the timing of his appearances,” said Werner. “A new season is also a new start. On a basic level, we still believe in his abilities like before, otherwise we wouldn’t have signed him a year ago.”
His performance in the second friendly in Zillertal was also a first step towards inking himself into the coaching staff’s plans. “David played well,” said Werner to journalists in the mixed zone. “He fought his duels, played physically and had some good ideas.”
At the very least, Kownacki has by no means been written off for the Green-Whites. “It’s been discussed that we’ll look at preseason performance. Dawid will see what opportunities arise for him and then we’ll judge how things are going,” said Werner. “He’ll be with us for now, is training completely normally and then we’ll assess what the situation is in terms of competition for places.”
⏱️ 31'
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) July 26, 2024
Kownacki slots home to put us ahead! ????#werder#svwswfc 1-0 pic.twitter.com/OQW2bsZ3KT
