Fight for the reward we deserve

Preview ahead of the match in Düsseldorf
First Team
Friday, 26.04.2019 / 17:42

Florian Kohfeldt had clearly processed and tried to learn from exiting the cup after the game against Bayern on Friday. “We can draw a lot of strength from that evening. You can separate the competitions, but the benefits for the team carry over,” said the coach on their confidence ahead of the game against Fortuna Düsseldorf (Saturday, 15:30 CEST). In the squad, the mood transformed from frustration to a sort of “positive defiance”. Werder want to take the strength they showed in the cup with them to the game in Düsseldorf and continue on with the dream of Europe. Kohfeldt is convinced: “Now we can reward ourselves!”

Squad news: Florian Kohfeldt will probably have to give Max Kruse a break for the game in the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA. The captain already suffered a blow to the thigh last weekend in Munich and was then a doubt for the semi-final fixture. It’s therefore unclear whether he will get a run out against Düsseldorf, both from the start or from the bench. In contrast, Johannes Eggestein and Yuya Osako have recovered well. Nuri Sahin returns to the squad, creating another alternative in midfield. Fin Bartels and Philipp Bargfrede are both unavailable; however Kohfeldt expects that both will be back to full fitness before the end of the season.

Previous meeting: The substitutes win it. Florian Kohfeldt got his substitutions spot on in Werder’s last meeting with Fortuna. For 70 minutes, Düsseldorf managed to stay in the game and even equalised Kevin Möhwald’s inital goal with a penalty from Lukebakio. Werder would have been able to extend their lead sooner, but Kruse, Rashica and co. all missed several chances. Florain Kohfeldt then delved into his bag of tricks and put on Johannes Eggestein, Martin Harik and Josh Sargent. All three turned out to be inspired substitutions: after a long-range effort from Johannes Eggestein wasn’t dealt with by the Fortuna keeper, Rensing, Martin Harnik pounced to give Werder a 2-1 lead. Just two minutes later, top American talent Sargent scored with his first kick to seal the deal for Werder.

The opponents: Fortuna have earnt a lot of respect from the whole Bundesliga for their efforts this season. Düsseldorf secured an impressive 3-3 draw away in Munich against FC Bayern whilst also becoming the first team to defeat Borussia Dortmund this season (2-1 at home). Friedhelm Funkel’s side have discovered their impressive style of play and the team secured Bundesliga safety two weeks, causing a surprise with how early survival was guaranteed. “You have to give Fortuna and especially Friedhelm Funkel a huge compliment. What Friedhelm has achieved over the course of the season deserves a huge amount of respect from me,” added Florian Kohfeldt regarding upcoming opponents Fortuna’s performances this season. The Green-Whites have only lost one of their last eleven matches against Fortuna (six wins, four draws).

Key players: Dodi Lukebakio scored a hat-trick away against FC Bayern in Fortuna’s 3-3 draw in the Allianz Arena to write himself into the club’s history books. The Watford loanee has scored ten goals and provided four assists in 27 Bundesliga appearances to put Düsseldorf on course for another season in the top flight. Lukebakio is also the club’s joint top scorer alongside Benito Raman. Friedhelm Funkel has best used the 21-year-old Belgian on the counter attack and Florian Kohfeldt is aware of the dangers his side will face against the counter attack on Saturday. The Green-White defence will have to be aware of Lukebakio’s aerial threat as he is 1.87m tall.

The officials: Benjamin Cortus will be the man in the centre of the action in Düsseldorf. Cortus was last in charge of a Werder match on matchday 25 of last season as the Green-Whites secured a 2-2 draw in Mönchengladbach. The 37 year-old will be assisted by Guido Kleve and Norbert Grudzinski on the sidelines while Florian Heft is the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referees are Christian Dingert and Timo Gerach.

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