“We will need him”

Osako returns to training but is unlikely to feature against Hertha BSC
Yuya Osako is back in training but is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Berlin. (Archive Photo: nordphoto).
First Team
Thursday, 14.02.2019 / 12:39

Yuya Osako returned to Werder team training for the first time in this calendar year on Thursday. However, the Japanese attacker is unlikely to feature on Saturday away at Hertha BSC as Green-Whites head coach Florian Kohfeldt explained in his pre-match press conference. “I haven’t given up all hope just yet but the is a strong chance he won’t play,” said the Werder coach. The newly awarded Japanese footballer of the year 2018 is making a steady return to action.

Despite the injury suffered at the Asia Cup, Osako played for Japan in their defeat in the final against Qatar. Kohfeldt has not made any accusations towards the striker regarding why he was allowed to play in that match. “It is clear we do not need to dive into illusions.” Although Osako is unlikely to feature in the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, Kohfeldt emphasised the important role that the striker plays in the Werder squad. “It is in the interests of all parties to reduce Yuya’s overall workload and we are in close discussions with the Japanese football association. We will certainly need Yuya for the final run in this season.”

Yuya Osako understood Werder Bremen’s decision to refuse the Japanese international to participate in this summer’s Copa America tournament, which Japan have been invited to take part in. “We reached this decision in unison with the player. There have been no disagreements from the Japanese footballer association either,” said Kohfeldt.

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