Friedl back! Werder Bremen before a key game against Gladbach

Friedl back! Werder Bremen before a key game against Gladbach

When the ball rolls next Sunday at 5:30 p.m., everything at SV Werder Bremen will revolve around the crucial questions of defense. Bremen are now preparing intensively for the away game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, which could be a real test of character for the team. Head coach Horst Steffen can look back on positive news: Marco Friedl has overcome his injury and is back training with the team. After a break of several weeks, he could be back on the pitch for the next game. “He gave good signals,” said Steffen after the last training session.

Friedl's return is of great importance for Werder Bremen's defense, as the personnel situation is anything but optimal. In addition to Friedl's return, Bremen are still struggling with the loss of Niklas Stark, who is suspended due to a yellow-red card. Amos Pieper and Julian Malatini are also unavailable due to injuries. They cannot count on the leader's experience, which further complicates the situation in the defense center. Steffen mentioned that the combination of left and right foot in central defense is important to ensure more stability, even if two left feet will be used, as with Friedl and the young Karim Coulibaly.

The youngsters in focus

19-year-old Karim Coulibaly is expected to be in the starting lineup again. He had a few turbulent moments on his debut against Bayer Leverkusen, but his late goal secured an important point for Bremen. The appearances in the U19 national team in particular gave him a boost, and Steffen praises his efforts. Skelly Alvero also proved to be a valuable defensive player in the last game and could be an unexpected but exciting option for the game against Mönchengladbach.

The defense will also be heavily challenged in the coming game. Steffen has trust in the young players and sees them as the key to successful performance. The current personnel situation in particular means that the chemistry on the pitch has to be right. “We have to work closely together and use each individual’s strengths,” said the coach.

Looking forward to the duel

The meeting with Gladbach will not be a walk in the park, after all, the team from Mönchengladbach achieved some positive results last season. Werder will do everything they can to collect points and continue to establish themselves in the middle of the table. The anticipation for the game is palpable among players and fans alike. Horst Steffen's team is ready to take on this challenge and follow up after a strong performance against Bayer Leverkusen.

For Bremen, the hope remains that Marco Friedl and the other players will bring a powerful team onto the field after the injured team is out to really challenge the strong Gladbachers. Fans can be curious to see how the young defensive combination will perform. Werder Bremen has the opportunity to please not only themselves but also their loyal supporters with a positive result. Further details about this exciting encounter can be found at Dike room and League Insider.