Matchday news #SVWB04: Away record on the line in Bremen

#SVWB04: Match facts

The Werkself have become a real force on their travels, including in Bremen. While Bayer 04 haven’t lost an away game in the Bundesliga for two whole seasons, it’s almost nine years (seven games) since they lost at the Weserstadion. It’s also just one defeat in the last 10 meetings home or away, although that came in the most recent in March.

Werder, though, rediscovered their home comforts at the end of last season and haven’t conceded a single goal in any of their last four Bundesliga outings on their own patch.

Focus on Werder

The start of this season has been very different, though. After DFB Pokal elimination at the hands of Arminia Bielefeld, they were then beaten 4-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening Bundesliga match. “Lots of things aren’t going right,” admitted captain Marco Friedl afterwards. The Green-Whites have lost two key players in goalkeeper Michael Zetterer and striker Marvin Ducksch. Karl Hein from Arsenal and Samuel Mbangula from Juventus have arrived with the intention of filling those gaps.

An injury crisis has also compounded things, with up to seven senior players ruled out or a doubt to face Leverkusen, including Friedl and midfield general Jens Stage. It’s not an easy situation for new head coach Horst Steffen, who previously led Elversberg from the fourth tier to the verge of Bundesliga promotion in last season’s play-off. Here’s more on today’s opponents HERE.

Fan information

The Werkself can once again look forward to great support in Bremen, with 3,800 fans making the trip from Leverkusen. Information for travelling fans can be found HERE.

Braun in charge

The German FA (DFB) have appointed Dr Robin Braun to oversee this game – the fourth of his career in the Bundesliga. The 29-year-old previously took charge of the Werkself’s 3-1 win at home to Hoffenheim in February. His assistants are Florian Heft and Asmir Osmanagic. The fourth official is Richard Hempel, with Tobias Welz as VAR.