Bundesliga

Bundesliga team introductions: a tough season ahead for Bremen, Pavlenka will be a key man

Werder Bremen are one of the most traditional German teams. However, last season was only the second time in its history that a North German team missed out on the top competition. But now they are back and will be looking to re-establish themselves among the elite. Can it do it?

Published

2 years ago

2. 8. 2022

Pavel Langr

The management team

Werder did not have it easy after their relegation from the Bundesliga. There were many changes and departures, a new coach came in, it took some time for everything to settle down. In short, Bremen were mediocre in the second league for a while. Moreover, due to an unpleasant incident, the team had to look for a new coach during the season. The second half of the season saved the day.

Bremen, however, only won promotion in the last round and avoided an unpleasant and difficult barrage. If anything worked, it was the attacking duo of Ducksch – Füllkrug. However, it was only coach Ole Werner, who is now 34 years old and facing his first season as head coach in the Bundesliga, who found it.

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper position seems to be secure. However, Jiri Pavlenka made mistakes in the preparation and didn’t exactly shine. It cannot be said about the cup game Werder played a week before the start of the league. However, he will still start as number one and will be one of the key men.

Werder expect a lot from him. After all, this is a player who has been at the club for a long time. He must be one of the leaders and movers. In addition, he has a quality competitor in Michael Zetterer, who will want to fight for his place.

Defence

The defense was a weakness last season. 44 goals conceded in 34 games is not a tragedy, but Bremen were still playing in the second league. They often scored cheap goals. The departure of several defensive stalwarts was noticeable.

But things should be better in the Bundesliga season. Marco Friedl had a good and steady performance in the second league. The team was strengthened by long-time Hertha mainstay Niklas Stark, who also has national team experience. Milos Veljkovic, who has matured especially mentally, should also be a support and could finally start to fulfil his potential.

Werder will most likely play a three-stopper system. The above mentioned players will form the best possible trio. Amos Pieper, who came from Bielefeld, will also fight for a place.

The wingbacks will play on the flanks. Mitchell Weiser will play on the right, Lee Buchanan will play on the left and Anthony Jung will fill in.

Backup

There is not much to do in the centre of midfield. The defensive shield is a post made for Christian Gross. Potentially, Ilya Gruev or new signing Jens Stage will fill in for him. Leonardo Bittencourt will be mainly in charge of playmaking, with Romano Schmid complementing him.

The skeleton is more or less obvious. However, Coach Werner has several other players, both similar and different, that he can use in the rotation. But he certainly won’t spin the lineup too much. The goal will be stability and constancy.

Offense

Werder’s strongest side last season, but it might be the other way around in the upcoming one. While Marvin Ducksch and Niclas Füllkrug have been dismantling second division defences like a treadmill, neither of these strikers have made a proper impact in the Bundesliga in the past.

Ducksch was paid as a great talent, but he never fulfilled his potential among the elite. In the second league, however, it’s a different story for him. Füllkrug had one really good first league season, but otherwise, like his teammate, he didn’t exactly shine. Although he did not do badly in the relegation season after his return to Bremen, he was hampered by injuries.

It will be interesting to see how they do now. They have the motivation to show that they are first class players. However, they are definitely not racking up the numbers like last season. A lot will depend on how Bremen present themselves.