FIRST TEAM
08/25/2011

Bremen at home: hoping for an open game

“Werder are back to their old selves”, says manager Holger Stanislawski looking ahead to Saturday's clash at home to Bremen on Saturday. Kick-off is at 15.30 in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Fans will cast their minds back Bremen matches of recent years, such as their 5-4 win over Hoffenheim in September 2008. Results like that weren't rarities but occurred with refreshing regularity. Stanislawski is expecting goals on Saturday, especially if the two attack-minded teams put on an entertaining show for the supporters. “We will both be playing to win, and there will be chances for both teams”, says Stani, admitting also that he has a great admiration of Werder coach Thomas Schaaf. “I like the way his teams play. They play an entertaining, high-risk style which is great to watch. They create a lot of chances but give chances away too. I would personally prefer a 5 -3 than a 2-0.”

“Enforcing our own game”

Stani remained tight-lipped on how he plans to score one more than his opponents. “We believe we have worked out where Bremen are dangerous and where they can score from. Whether that plan works, we'll just have to wait and see.” Defender Marvin Commper was giving a little more away than his manager. “Bremen's attack is almost impossible to keep out for 90 minutes. So we have to make sure we enforce our own game on the match.”

Close to full fitness

Hoffenheim's injury list is slowly shrinking. Andreas Ibertsberger came through 90 minutes of an Under 23's match, and has trained for a week without any problems. “I wasn't totally satisfied [with my performance]. But it was still important to play 90 minutes and get some match fitness back”, said Ibertsberger this week. With Gylfi Sigurdsson, Knowledge Musona, Matthias Jaissle, Boris Vukcevic, Vedad Ibisevic and Manuel Gulde the situation is different. Sigurdsson and Musona are making progress and should return to the first-team fold after returning from international duty. Musona returned, in fact, to training with a ball this week. Jaissle, Weis, Vukcevic and Ibisevic are still injured, with Tobias Weis the longest absentee. 'Tobse' wants an operation and then he'll return to the squad.”

Tickets still available

Around 3,500 tickets are still available for the match on Saturday – 1,600 in the away section and 1,900 in the home end. Ticket offices open two hours before kick-off and Stanislawski is hoping for some great support from the Hoffenheim fans. “This is a match between two offensive-minded teams. I'm expecting a lot of goals and a Hoffenheim victory. Fans shouldn't miss this one; we're hoping for their support.”

Data und Stats

In the six matches between these two clubs in the Bundesliga, there have been 20 goals – an average of 3.33 per game. Bremen have scored three times in the last fifteen minutes of games this season, while Hoffenheim are yet to concede a second-half goal. After Bayern Munich, Stanislawski's team has the best defensive record in the league; after Schalke, Bremen have e the best attack. This game has all the makings of a football feast.

Match facts and statistics »

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