Position
Werder Bremen made a miserable start to 2017 with four defeats in succession. However, Werder produced some decent performances in those matches. In the narrow defeats at home to Borussia Dortmund (1-2) and Bayern Munich (1-2) the team from Bremen showed grit and determination. Werder lost in the last minute in a 3-2 away defeat at Augsburg and went down by the only goal of the game at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach and they could have got more out of both games. On matchday 20, Bremen were in the play-off spot. From then on the only way was up with away wins at Mainz (2-0) and Wolfsburg (2-1) plus a 2-0 home win against Darmstadt. That run of results has taken the Green and Whites up to fourteenth in the Bundesliga.
Potential
At the start of the season it was clear that avoiding relegation was the main priority. The maxim was to achieve 40 points as soon as possible. With 25 points to date there is still some way to go but there are still 11 games to play. Werder are strong up front. Legend striker Claudio Pizarro, who scored a hat-trick last season in the 4-1 win at Leverkusen, has yet to score in the league this term. A greater threat has come from Serge Gnabry (10 goals) and Max Kruse (6) with the pair scoring more than half of Werder's 30 goals to date.
Problems
The defence is still causing headaches for coach Alexander Nouri. Only Hamburg SV and Darmstadt 98 have conceded more goals than Werder (43). A particularly heavy blow for Bremen is the serious injury to captain Clemens Fritz. The 36-year-old, who used to play for Bayer 04, suffered a torn ligament in his right ankle in the match against Darmstadt and is probably ruled out for the rest of the season. We say get well soon Clemens
Personnel
The captain is definitely ruled out and there are more or less big question marks over the appearance of three other Werder players. Serge Gnabry at two stop training on Wednesday due to knee pains. The Dane Thomas Delaney, who trained with a face mask following a facial fracture and concussion, is not sure whether he will be fit for Friday. And Philipp Bargfrede (hip) may also be unavailable for the match at the BayArena. Striker Izet Hajrovic is another absentee with a long-term injury.
Prediction
In spite of all the personnel problems, Bremen have gained confidence from recent matches and again look to be strong position in the relegation battle given their experience over the past three years. Werder Bremen's strength at home could be a key element in the struggle to stay up.
A round-up of the Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land, all in one place: in our daily blog you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day four (Wednesday 5 August) is all about training. The day begins with a gruelling open training session – new signing Miguel Gutiérrez also takes part. A second session follows in the afternoon, this time behind closed doors.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Spanish left-back Miguel Gutiérrez from Napoli. The 25-year-old has signed a contract with the club to 30 June 2031. Gutiérrez came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid; he moved to Italy a year ago from Girona, and he played a key role for Napoli with 36 appearances. The big Italian club finished last season as runners-up in Serie A.
Show more
New signing Miguel Gutiérrez arrives in Leverkusen having won the Champions League, the Spanish league title and an Olympic gold medal. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard, signed from Napoli, is looking to the future – he wants to write the next chapter of success with the Werkself. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the skilful, attack-minded left-back, who will wear the number 3 jersey.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day three (Tuesday 4 August) begins with a thorough open session on the pitch. After lunch, some players have media engagements at the team hotel, and then the team come together for a barbecue in the evening.
Show more
