An “incredibly important” game

Paderborn match preview
Theodor Gebre Selassie and Co. are aware of the importance of the game against Paderborn (Photo: nordphoto).
preliminary report
Thursday, 11.06.2020 / 17:35

Just one look at the table will show you just how important this match is. SV Werder Bremen remain second from bottom as they visit the Benteler-Arena on Saturday 13/06/20 to take on SC Paderborn on Bundesliga Matchday 31 (15:30 CEST). Even though the game won’t confirm the fate of either team, it’s certainly an “incredibly important game” for both sides, as Werder’s head coach Florian Kohfeldt described it ahead of the weekend.

Squad news: “Our attacking options are increasing again,” said the coach in regard to Leonardo Bittencourt, Milot Rashica, Niclas Füllkrug und Claudio Pizarro, who all trained with the team during the week. While Füllkrug is in line to return to the squad for the first time since his injury that has kept him side-lined for roughly eight months, there are still questions marks regarding Bittencourt, Rashica and Pizarro’s availability for the game against the team at the bottom of the table. With the exception of long-term injuries, “every other player is healthy,” said Kohfeldt.

 

“Aggression and intensity”

Florian Kohfeldt is aiming for a win at the weekend (Photo: nordphoto).

The head coach on the game: “They’ve proven that they won’t give up, impressively. They managed to pick up a point in Leipzig after a brave and courageous performance,” Kohfeldt compliments SC Paderborn for their 1-1 draw against Champions League qualification contenders RB Leipzig last weekend. The coach is preparing his team for a difficult game against the newly promoted side, “They are really difficult to play against. I’m expecting an intense game, it will be a battle.” Kohfeldt is hoping most of the intensity will come from the Green Whites, “We want to be aggressive and play with a high intensity without the ball,” said the 37-year-old, who is wary about Paderborn’s ability on the counter. The coach is aware of the pressure facing both teams, “I’m confident that we will respond to it with passion and aggression, and that we won’t crumble under pressure.” Kohfeldt believes his side are mentally and physically prepared for the final stretch.

SV Werder won’t have fond memories of the previous encounter between the two sides. Sitting in 14th place at the time, Werder conceded in the 90th minute of the game as Paderborn took home all three points. Sven Michel scored the only goal of the game in what was a rainy night at the wohninvest WESERSTADION back in December, with the goal being awarded despite a long review from the Video Assistant Referee.

Facts and figures

Josh Sargent wants to help his side to victory in Paderborn (Photo: nordphoto).

Old friends: Florian Kohfeldt and SCP head coach Steffen Baumgart are no strangers to one another. “We keep running into each other,” said Kohfeldt, adding, “I’m happy about it because we get on really well.” The two coaches successfully completed their DFB coaching training together. Nevertheless, not all of Kohfeldt’s memories with the 48-year-old are happy ones. When SC Paderborn were playing in the third division back in the 2017/18 season, Kohfeldt was in charge of the SV Werder U23s at the time, who fell to a 7-1 loss at the hands of his counterpart at the Benteler-Arena; his biggest ever loss in his professional coaching career.

An even record: SCP and SVW have met on three occasions in Germany’s top division. And each occasion has yielded a different result; one win apiece and a draw. However, Bremen have netted a total of six goals in these three fixtures compared to Paderborn’s three; something they will be looking to repeat on Saturday.

The officials: Due to the corona pandemic, the DFL are only allocating the referees on matchday, providing the officials test negative for the virus.

 

 
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