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.
There was a successful end to the women's internationals with Werkself players Carlotta Wamser and Cornelia Kramer qualifying for the 2027 World Cup finals in Brazil. A third Leverkusen player is still in with a chance of joining them. The Germany U23 players also experienced success in their last two international friendlies of the season.
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Traveling to North America for the World Cup this summer to see your favorite Bayer 04 players? Here’s a quick cheat sheet with thumbnail portraits and insider tips for each city from a local expert, so you can make the most of your visit and activities beyond the game!
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A fresh look for the BayArena: The Bayer 04 stadium will have new seating in the form of folding seats for the 2026/27 campaign that will ensure significantly improved seating comfort and simplified movement within the rows of seats. As part of routine replacement after 17 years, fans of the Werkself were able to purchase the existing seats, used to witness the first German league title in the club's history. In addition, a large proportion of the seats will be donated to charitable projects, primarily in the local region. Bayer 04 fans can look forward to new, functional folding seats for the season opener at the beginning of August - still in the club colours of black and red, of course. A glimpse at the BayArena during the refurbishment.
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On Monday evening, 8 June, around 250 people came to the Bürgerhaus Baumberg at the invitation of Bayer 04 to find out details of the new plans for the campus on Alfred-Nobel-Straße at an information event. More compact, greener and with many advantages for Monheim am Rhein - those are the aims. There were lively discussions for around three hours and some misunderstandings were cleared up.
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