The final stretch

Leverkusen match preview
SV Werder and Milot Rashica want to make a good start in their first game back after the break in play due to the Coronavirus (Photo: nordphoto).
preliminary report
Sunday, 17.05.2020 / 16:50

The day is almost upon us. SV Werder restart their Bundesliga season after the break in play due to the Coronavirus against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Monday 18th May (20:30 CET). It will be the first match in the history of the wohninvest WESERSTADION to be played behind closed doors. “We’re well prepared,” emphasised head coach Florian Kohfeldt despite the unusual situation, and spoke about the “positive atmosphere” around the squad ahead of the game against the “Werkself”.

The squad: The ten-week break also has its positives, at least in terms of SVW’s injury list. Since some players have been able to complete their rehabilitation during the break, the Werder coach now has the “fittest squad” he’s had available to him so far this season, the coach said on Sunday afternoon. Despite the absences of Claudio Pizarro and Ludwig Augustinsson, who are both expected to be fit in time for next weekend’s game against SC Freiburg, Davy Klaassen, who is suspended for Monday’s game, and long-term absentees Ömer Toprak, Kevin Möhwald and Niclas Füllkrug, Kohfeldt views the current squad situation as “very good,” compared to the lengthy injury list he has had to deal with so far this season.

 

Kohfeldt: “Control the game from the start”

Florian Kohfeldt will be hoping he can applaud his team on Monday (Photo: nordphoto).

Werder’s head coach ahead of the game: Bayer 04 Leverkusen travel to Bremen on the back of four wins from their last five Bundesliga matches. Peter Bosz’s side will undoubtedly come into the game with lots of confidence as they look to continue in their charge towards the Champions League places. Florian Kohfeldt is aware of this fact, “In Leverkusen we are coming up against a side that won’t sit back and defend. So we have to be brave. And that’s also what we want to do,” said the coach. The 37-year-old is expecting the game to be played at a high tempo, “Leverkusen are a team that play with a high attacking intensity. They have a clear structure, they attack at pace and have one of the best players in the Bundesliga in his position in Kai Havertz.” Kohfeldt is challenging his side to, “control the game from the start.” The coach believes this could be influenced by the fact that the game will be played without any fans, having previously observed Saturday’s Bundesliga fixtures: “I get the impression that teams can take control of games quicker without any fans.”

 

Three points as a 30th birthday present?

Yuya Osako celebrates his 30th birthday on Monday (Photo: nordphoto.)

The last encounter between the two sides: SVW last came up against B04 back in October; a game in which Werder were dealt with a large amount of misfortune. Florian Kohfeldt’s side had the ball in the net on three occasions at the BayArena, only to travel back to Bremen with a 2-2 draw. Ömer Toprak was unfortunate to score an own goal against his former club, whilst goals from Milot Rashica and Davy Klaassen at the right end of the pitch were ultimately cancelled out by Lucas Alario’s equaliser. Werder also had a strong penalty shout late on in the game; however the Video Assistant Referee controversially denied the claim.

Two reasons to celebrate? It could be a birthday to remember for Yuya Osako, who turns 30 on Monday. It could also be a memorable night for Philipp Bargfrede at the wohninvest WESERSTADION, with the midfielder just one game away from making his 200th Bundesliga appearance (all in Green and White). The midfielder is in with a good chance of reaching that milestone tomorrow evening according to Florian Kohfeldt, “He has been training at the required levels for weeks now, even months. I am very happy with his fitness and the condition he’s in.”

 

 
Your web browser ist outdated.
The web browser you are using is no longer supported.
Please download one of these free and up to date browsers.
Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge
Chrome Firefox Edge
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
MS Edge
Why should I use an up to date web browser?
Security
Newer web browsers provide better protection against malware, data theft and other threats to your privacy and security. Up to date browsers continuously close security holes that allow attackers to enter your computer.
New Technologies
The technologies used on modern websites are better supported by newer web browsers. This both increases functionality and improves the website layout. By benefiting from new functions and extensions you will be able to surf the web faster and easier.