We cannot drop off

Preview for the Stuttgart game
The next match under the floodlights is against Stuttgart on Friday night. (Photo: nordphoto).
preliminary report
Thursday, 21.02.2019 / 17:25

SV Werder have taken points from every competitive match in 2019 so far and this run should continue on Friday (22/02/19) at 20:30 at home to VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart are at the wrong end of the table and will be hoping to ease their struggles with a win in Bremen. Head coach Florian Kohfeldt therefore feels it will be “an extremely difficult game,” and stressed that his team “has to be at their best to win it.”

The last meeting: The reverse fixture in Stuttgart took place on Matchday 6 and will be remembered for several reasons. Florian Kohfeldt’s side had a number of chances in the Mercedes-Benz Arena to take the lead through Yuya Osako, but failed to do. VfB’s Anastasios Donis, however, did give his side the lead after a sloppy pass from Davy Klaassen. Milos Veljkovic then saw red for a second yellow card after a tackle on Daniel Didavi. SVW continued to press hard, albeit failing to find that crucial equaliser, despite their various chances. Then suddenly Stuttgart keeper Ron-Robert Zieler missed a throw-in, which subsequently went directly in, thus giving Werder their equaliser. The joy was only short-lived though, as Nuri Sahin’s mistake led to Gonzalo Castro winning the game for Stuttgart.

Johannes Eggestein has started the last two games. (Photo: nordphoto).

The head coach on the game: Florian Kohfeldt isn’t focusing on Stuttgart’s position in the table and instead preparing his side as he always would. “I find their league position quite surprising to be honest. They have a lot of individual qualities, which cannot be underestimated,” explained the head coach in the Thursday’s press conference. “We need a good plan so that we can beat them. We will have to be patient and play at a high tempo so we get chances. There will be parts of the game where we will have to fight hard. The 36-year-old expects an entertaining game for the fans: “Stuttgart need as many points as they can get. They will come here and try to win, but this game means a lot to us so we want to win too.”

The squad: There haven’t been any new developments since last week. Kohfeldt has a large squad to choose from. Yuya Osako, who is still suffering from back problems he picked up in the Asian Cup, will miss the game. Martin Harnik also won’t feature, although “his healing process has gone well so far”, according to Kohfeldt. The Austrian has been out injured since the cup tie in Dortmund several weeks ago.

Florian Kohfeldt's side is unbeaten in 2019.(Photo: nordphoto).

The opponents: SV Werder take on a team from the lower echelons of the table on Friday night. VfB Stuttgart have taken only 15 points this season and sit in the relegation play-off position. Markus Weinzierl’s side have only taken one from point from their last seven games and recently made a change to their backroom staff. Former first-team player Thomas Hitzlsperger replaced Michael Reschke as the director of football. The side couldn’t show a reaction against RB Leipzig last weekend, slipping to a 3-1 defeat at home. Friday’s game could be vital for the side from Swabia, who will be hoping to increase the gap between them and Hannover and Nürnberg, as well as ensuring the gap between them and 15th place doesn’t keep growing.

Key player: Mario Gomez re-signed for Stuttgart last January, hoping to play Europaen football once again with his former club. However, instead of that, he is now fighting against relegation and hasn’t hit form yet. The former Germany international has scored five goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances, well below his high standards. He is still Stuttgart’s most successful attacker this season though and gives his fans hope. One thing is for sure: Gomez doesn’t need many touches or chances to get on the scoresheet. The Werder defence have to be sure to keep him under control.

The officials: Robert Hartmann will officiate the game and will be assisted Christian Leicher and Markus Schüller. Frank Willenborg will be the fourth official. The video referees will be Tobias Stieler and Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck.

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