Philipp Bargfrede missed the past few days of training with a thigh problem but was able to return and join in on Thursday afternoon...
Philipp Bargfrede missed the past few days of training with a thigh problem but was able to return and join in on Thursday afternoon...
+++ Back on the pitch: Philipp Bargfrede missed the past few days of training with a thigh problem but was able to return and join in on Thursday afternoon. Werder manager Viktor Skripnik announced this news during his lunchtime press conference. "He still has a slight problem but we hope that it isn't so serious," said Skripnik. Luca Caldirola, who returned to the training pitch for the first time on Wednesday, can still only take part in individual sessions. +++
+++ Lorenzen needs time: Melvyn Lorenzen returned to training several weeks ago following a knee operation; however, he now faces another spell on the sidelines. "It's currently not looking too good for him. We need to wait and see what happens," explained Skripnik on Thursday. "Mello" is impatient to return but it's currently not possible to say when he'll be back in contention for the matchday squad. "He needs time," commented Skripnik. +++

+++ Minute's applause: At the start of the week, the club received the sad news that former player Arnold „Pico" Schütz had passed away at the age of 80. There will be a minute's applause before the North derby to commemorate the Werder legend. +++

+++ Better than Ronaldo and Messi: Zlatko Junuzovic is currently Europe's top free-kick taker according to WhoScored.com statistics. After analysing the data of 35 players, Junuzovic, who has scored four out of 17 direct free-kicks, comes top of the pile ahead of Andrea Pirlo (21st), Lionel Messi (23rd) and Cristiano Ronaldo (25th). Bundesliga rival Hakan Calhanoglu, who has also scored four direct free-kicks this season, lies in eighth place as a result of his worse conversion rate and lower shot accuracy. +++
