FIRST TEAM
12/19/2016

Ahead of #TSGSVW: “Three points will end the year well”

The final game of 2016 is just around the corner. On Wednesday evening at 20:00 CET, TSG host Werder Bremen on matchday 16 of the Bundesliga. Julian Nagelsmann spoke to achtzehn99.de about the upcoming fixture.

Julian Nagelsmann on…

…the opposition:

Bremen are currently unbeaten in four games and Alexander Nouri, who I did my coaching badges with, is a really hard-working coach. He gives the Werder side a lot of confidence. With Claudio Pizarro and Max Kruse up front, they are also well-equipped going forward. I also think Serge Gnabry was a very good signing, as he brings a lot of tempo to their game. Above all else, however, they are very good on the counter. They will therefore be looking to hurt us on the break. I have read a few things about things about how their players are confident of winning here. I will be really pleased if they come out just as positively for the game because then it will be a good spectacle.

…the squad:

Jin-Su Kim has already flown back to South Korea for personal reasons and Sebastian Rudy is out with a suspension. Apart from that, all of the other players are available.

…the sporting situation 1:

I am really looking forward to the game on Wednesday. Three points will be a great end to the first half of the season for us, both in terms of our performances and our position in the table.

Head-to-head record:

TSG have a poor record against Werder, winning just one of the 16 matches between the two sides. That particular victory was a 4-1 win in August 2010. Apart from that, the two sides have played out six draws, with Werder winning on nine occasions. The last fixture was Julian Nagelsmann’s first game in charge of TSG in February. The game in Bremen ended 1-1, with Andrej Kramaric on target for Hoffenheim.  

The opposition’s form:

Under Viktor Skripnik, Werder had a difficult start to the season, losing all four of their opening games. Skripnik was subsequently relieved of his duties, with Alexander Nouri taking charge after that. He seemed to have an immediate impact, with Werder winning two of the following three games. Following that impressive start, however, Nouri’s side again lost four in a row. In recent weeks, though, there form has improved with two wins and two draws in their last four games.

Key battle:

Julian Nagelsmann is not a big fan of a physical game. He would prefer his sides to intercept passes as a way of winning the ball back. Challenges and tackles have too many uncontrollable variables. Nevertheless, TSG are still up there with the best in the division when it comes to this area of the game. The side have won just over 50 percent of their tackles so far this season. Bremen, on the other hand, have won 47.5 percent of their duels, which could be a real advantage for TSG.

 

 

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