Bremen’s woes seems self-inflicted. Earlier than the season, the membership sacked coach Ole Werner — who led them again to the highest flight and stabilised their Bundesliga standing — after a contract dispute. Photograph: AFP
BERLIN:
Bayern Munich’s go to to Werder Bremen’s Weserstadion couldn’t have come at a worse time for the struggling hosts, who’ve been dragged right into a German Bundesliga relegation battle.
With 21 video games performed, Bremen sit in sixteenth, the relegation playoff spot, trailing Mainz in fifteenth on objective distinction.
It’s a unhappy state of affairs for the four-time German champions, the one membership to have spent as a lot time within the high flight, 61 seasons, as Bayern through the Bundesliga period.
Well-known for Beck’s beer and an historic city sq., Bremen will not be certainly one of Germany’s largest or wealthiest cities however standard Werder have a following which extends far and extensive.
Double winners in 2004 and 2009 Europa League finalists, Bremen’s decline is much like that of German giants like Hamburg, Schalke and Hertha Berlin; change-resistant golf equipment failing to maintain up whereas sleepwalking right into a disaster of their very own making.
Earlier than the season, Bremen sacked coach Ole Werner, who took them to the top-flight and stabilised them within the Bundesliga, after a contract dispute.
Some on the membership had been important of Werner for failing to play Bremen-born and raised ahead Nick Woltemade, who moved on a free switch to Stuttgart earlier than a big-money arrival at Newcastle United.
Bremen took a threat with a season-long mortgage of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, however it has not paid off, with the injury-prone Nigerian dominated out for the season.
Werner’s alternative, Horst Steffen, was sacked in February, with alternative Daniel Thioune tasked with avoiding the drop.
Thioune sought to spice up his gamers after shedding his first recreation in cost in opposition to Freiburg on Saturday.
“The very last thing I need to see is folks dropping their heads,” Thioune mentioned.
“Those that look down cannot see what lies forward.
“I’ve advised the gamers to imagine within the path we’re taking and to belief me.”
Thioune promised his aspect would “work diligently and tirelessly to vary our scenario,” with the league leaders their subsequent goal.
“In soccer, you rise to the problem.”
One to look at: Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza has been the standout of round a dozen who signed with the membership in the summertime, already rising as a artistic pressure in midfield.
Laying on assists in back-to-back Champions League matches in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle, Maza has rapidly proven his capacity on the large stage.
Maza cites Germany’s 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil as his inspiration, saying “I used to be nonetheless younger then however Ozil was ‘wow’ for me.”
Chatting with the Bundesliga web site on Thursday, Maza mentioned he nonetheless tried to maintain the enjoyable regardless of the stress of top-level soccer.
“All the time having enjoyable taking part in, being courageous, being cheeky,” Maza mentioned of his recreation.
“Typically a little bit of trickery, having enjoyable and simply bringing a little bit of cheekiness onto the pitch.”
Key stats
8 in 24 – Eight of Harry Kane’s 24 targets this Bundesliga season have come from the spot. The following finest Bundesliga scorer this season is Kane’s teammate Luis Diaz, on 13.
6 and 4 in 5 – Bayern talisman Harry Kane made his Bundesliga debut at Bremen and has chalked up six targets and 4 assists in 5 matches in opposition to them.
16 – Michael Olise has 16 assists this season, essentially the most within the league. On Thursday, he was named Bundesliga participant of the month for January, the second time he has received the award this marketing campaign.
Fixtures (1430 GMT until acknowledged)
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v Mainz (1930)
Saturday
Hamburg v Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim v Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen v St Pauli, Stuttgart v Cologne (1730)
Sunday
Augsburg v Heidenheim, RB Leipzig v Wolfsburg (1630)
