SV Werder head out for their longest trip of the season - ironically for a mid-week match - as Thomas Schaaf's team travel to southwest Germany to play SC Freiburg on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 8 p.m. For Werder...
SV Werder head out for their longest trip of the season - ironically for a mid-week match - as Thomas Schaaf's team travel to southwest Germany to play SC Freiburg on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 8 p.m. For Werder...
SV Werder head out for their longest trip of the season - ironically for a mid-week match - as Thomas Schaaf's team travel to southwest Germany to play SC Freiburg on Wednesday 26 September 2012 at 8 p.m. For Werder, it's essentially another North-South showdown after hosting VfB Stuttgart last weekend. And it's a match that all but guarantees to have goals scored. But it also represents a match which will set a real tone. Werder hope that after five match days it's clear in which direction they are heading. The same goes for Freiburg. What is possible this season? The official goal is to remain top flight. Just maybe, more could be possible. Like last year.

Freiburg have started well this season with a victory, two draws and a defeat. Their 5-3 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim left a major impression and allowed fans to have high expectations. But head coach Christian Streich doesn't want to hear anything about the expectations. "The other clubs would need to do quite a bit wrong for us to avoid the relegation battle this year," said Streich before the season started. The goal of staying in the league remains the announced goal in Freiburg. Would more be possible? Maybe.
Reunion with former Bremen player Max Kruse
Freiburg are on their way up and new acquisition Max Kruse is just fine with that. Kruse has collected two goals and two assists, making him the top scorer for the team. He has been part of six of the club's eight goals scored in competitive matches this season. Kruse played for Werder's second team from 2006 to 2009, playing one match with the professionals. He scored 22 goals in 96 appearances for St. Pauli before heading to Freiburg. And now Kruse is looking forward to the showdown with his former club. Freiburg come into the match wanting to snap a bitter streak. SCF have not won at home over Werder since 28 July 2001 - more than 11 years. Freiburg played in the second division five of those years but the Green-Whites are a feared opponent for Freiburg. Still, Werder coach Thomas Schaaf refuses to put much stock in the past record. "I am not thinking about statistics at all. The only important thing is to try to assert yourself and prevail," said Schaaf.
Werder have played 13 times in Freiburg and picked up eight victories, two draws and three defeats. The old days of Werder winning 6-0 on the road (December 2004 and November 2009) appear to be over. "We don't expect an easy match," said Schaaf. Bremen's last match in Freiburg was a tight 2-2 draw in February 2012. Current coach Christian Streich was the new boss for Freiburg back then. His team is undefeated at home in their last 10 matches at home, a new club record. Can Streich do it again?
