Take risks

Leverkusen preview
Werder are hoping for more success in Leverkusen (Photo: nordphoto).
preliminary report
Friday, 25.10.2019 / 14:30

Werder have put in some good displays over the past weeks, but haven’t been rewarded with a win after drawing each of their last three games. A lack of consistency and coolness in front of goal has been the biggest problem. Bremen finally want the three points on Saturday at home to Leverkusen (26/10, 18:30 CEST). “We will have to take risks,” explained Florian Kohfeldt at the pre-match press conference.

The squad: Werder’s injury list has been reduced with the recovery of Ömer Toprak, while Yuya Osako could potentially be available for tomorrow’s game. The Japanese attacker returned to training alongside Toprak this week. “Ömer is ready to play. He’s further ahead than Yuya has he’s trained more often. We’ll have to see if Yuya makes it,” explained the head coach. Osako could make the starting XI or the bench, but equally might miss out on the game altogether as Kohfeldt added caution: “we might not want to risk him”. Apart from the long-term absentees and Claudio Pizarro, Kohfeldt has a full squad available to him.

 

Kohfeldt: Defend from the front

Kohfeldt already has his plans ready for Leverkusen (Photo: nordphoto).

The head coach ahead of the game: Florian Kohfeldt admires the style of football that Peter Bosz likes his teams to play. The confidence and bravery that Leverkusen both defend and attack with is something that Kohfeldt’s Werder team also like to do. Werder’s head coach felt that Leverkusen played well in the Champions League in Madrid, as ‘they had a lot of control of the game’. He also feels that they have put in some exceptional performances in the Bundesliga over the past few weeks. “We have to try and stop their control of possession in the important parts of the pitch. This means that we will have to take risks while defending as well”, stated Kohfeldt.

 

Toprak to face his former club

Ömer Toprak is back in the squad after his injury. (Photo: Nordphoto).

The last meeting: Werder came, saw and conquered. The previous match-up saw the Green-Whites win 3-1 away from home this year as Kruse (2) and Rashica secured the win.

Toprak’s return: Ömer Toprak is back! The summer signing has recovered from his calf problem and will make the squad to face his former side. The 30-year-old played for Bayer 04 between 2011 and 2017.

The officials: Martin Petersen from Stuttgart will take charge of the game. The 34-year-old will be assisted by Alexander Sather and Robert Wessel. Holger Henschlel is the fourth official, while Christian Bandurski will be the video assistant.

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