Werder to make perfect start to promotion bid
Werder Bremen’s quest to bounce back to the Bundesliga at the first time of asking begins on Saturday evening when Markus Anfang’s men welcome Hannover to Weserstadion. Werder desperately need to put the last couple of disastrous seasons to the back of their minds and a win in the opening game would be the perfect start. They have been able to keep hold of some key talents this summer who may have offers from the top tier of German football, making them amongst the favourites for the title. However with other heavyweights in the form of Schalke and Hamburg also in the second tier, their task is not as straightforward as it could have been in years gone by.
Background
Florian Kohfeldt was removed from office with just one match remaining in the 2020/21 season with Werder still looking as if they would survive. But a course of events against them sees them in the second tier for the first time this century, it was a surprise on the day however not as a result of the last few years of poor form that has seen them drastically fall away from their former glory.
Omer Toprak, Maximilian Eggestein, Josh Sargent and Leonardo Bittencourt are among the key names that look a little out of place on a 2. Bundesliga team sheet. Bittencourt came off injured in their most recent pre-season friendly so may not be involved here, however the other three are at a performance level higher than this division when onsong. If they can find a good partner for Toprak at centre back they could build a solid foundation towards promotion.
21-year-old USA international Sargent has been a precocious talent for a few years now, maybe the step down could see him thrive and build confidence and consistency we are yet to see from him in his time in Germany. Hannover finished 13th last term, not threatening the promotion pack despite their prowess too in Germany’s top flight.
Werder look value at evens for this encounter, the continuity in the squad is good, they all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and the latter should be exposed significantly less at second tier level.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A frustrating start for Werder, 1-1.