Zlatko Junuzovic still has bad memories of his first and only showdown thus far against FSV Mainz 05 on 31 March 2012, when SV Werder Bremen lost 3-0 at home. It was his ninth Bundesliga match and his fourth defeat - and that against his best friend from the Austrian national team, Julian Baumgartlinger. "That was a very bitter match. The defeat really ate at me for a long time. Tomorrow we want revenge," said Junuzovic after Saturday afternoon's final training. Werder's Austrian international hopes that the Green-Whites can keep the three points in Weser Stadium on Sunday (kick-off at 5:30 p.m.).
Junuzovic and Baumgartlinger played together for two years together with Austria Vienna. The Austrians became friends on and off the pitch - though the friendship will be off for 90 minutes during the match. "We are pretty good friends and called each other this morning. We didn't make a bet at all. We would never do that. Of course it would be important to win against Julian. No question. I would be very satisfied tomorrow with three points. Mainz are playing well. We have the advantage that we are playing at home. That will be a really nice Austrian showdown," said ‘Zladdi'.
After the final training, head coach Thomas Schaaf nominated the following 18 players for the Green-Whites squad in the match against Mainz: Mielitz, Wolf - Lukimya, De Bruyne, Arnautovic, Ekici, Elia, Schmitz, Hunt, Prödl, Junuzovic, Ignjovski, Akpala, Sokratis, Gebre Selassie, Petersen, Füllkrug und Bargfrede.