SV Werder go in search of three points for the final time in 2024 on Saturday, 21/12/2024, when they host 1. FC Union Berlin (kick-off 15:30 CET). A victory would see SVW begin the new year in a very good position.
SV Werder go in search of three points for the final time in 2024 on Saturday, 21/12/2024, when they host 1. FC Union Berlin (kick-off 15:30 CET). A victory would see SVW begin the new year in a very good position.
Squad update: For Justin Njinmah (ankle problems), Felix Agu (collateral ligament injury) and Keke Topp (ankle injury), their footballing year is already over. Leonardo Bittencourt (adductor problems) will also be out, along with Isak Hansen-Aarøen.
Ole Werner on the opponent: “They are a very experienced team. Their games recently have all been close and, with a little luck, could have ended differently. They are a very mature and disciplined side, with plenty of experience, physicality and focus — we will be up against a tough challenge. We will need to put in a top-level performance along with maintaining our defensive stability from past weeks. Just like St. Pauli, they won’t give us 10 or 15 chances, which is why we need to make the most of the opportunities we do create.”
Previous meetings: In recent years, 1. FC Union have proved a tough opponent. The 2-0 home win last season, in which an own goal from ex-Berliner Robin Knoche (now at 1. FC Nürnberg) and a marvellous lob from Marvin Ducksch made the difference, was SVW's only win in the last seven encounters between the sides. Prior to that, Werder had only managed to win the first-ever clashes involving the teams in both the 2009 DFB-Pokal (5-0) and in the Bundesliga in 2019 (2-1). Therefore, it’s time to improve the head-to-head record a little.
The reunion will have to wait: In an interview while Kevin Vogt was a TSG Hoffenheim player, the centre-back told us that he holds very fond memories of his time at the Weserstadion. He is also very good friends with Leonardo Bittencourt in his private life. However, a reunion on the pitch will have to be put on hold after the 33-year-old received his fifth yellow card of the season in his team’s recent 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum. Apart from the game away to FC Bayern (3-0 loss), the Berlin-based side only conceded three goals at VfB Stuttgart (3-2 defeat), that encounter being the only one Vogt had previously missed.
