The Werder players completed a very intensive training session Thursday ahead of their derby against Hannover 96. "The team trained very well and was very motivated. We really worked hard on the fine-tuning and pushing...
The Werder players completed a very intensive training session Thursday ahead of their derby against Hannover 96. "The team trained very well and was very motivated. We really worked hard on the fine-tuning and pushing...
The Werder players completed a very intensive training session Thursday ahead of their derby against Hannover 96. "The team trained very well and was very motivated. We really worked hard on the fine-tuning and pushing forward quickly from the defence," said Werder coach Thomas Schaaf about Thursday's training.
While Aaron Hunt is fit again and will be available to the head coach for Friday's game at 8:30 p.m., Schaaf will have to do without the suspended duo of Clemens Fritz and Marko Arnautovic. Mehmet Ekici took over a starting spot against Hamburg - the first time this season. And the 22-year-old received a lot of praise for his courageous showing. "Memo took a very positive step in the Hamburg match. He showed a dedicated performance with which you can be satisfied," said the head coach at the mid-day official press conference.
The Turkish international could also receive the call in the smaller derby for supremacy in northern Germany. "Of course the praise from the coach gives me additional confidence. I would like to pay back this trust with good performances," said Ekici, who has appeared in 26 Bundesliga matches for Werder.
These 18 players hope to secure Werder's first victory of the second half: Mielitz, Strebinger - Pavlovic, Lukimya, De Bruyne, Ekici, Elia, Schmitz, Hunt, Prödl, Junuzovic, Ignjovski, Akpala, Sokratis, Gebre Selassie, Petersen, Hartherz und Yildirim.
