Werder Bremen ended the ninth match day in fifth place in the table. Much more important than the rank itself, however, is the statement that goes with it: The climber will be rewarded for the clear plan and courageous offensive style. A co-promoter can look enviously at the Weser.
It was one of the bigger Bundesliga issues of the day: With Werder Bremen, a climber is on an international place in the table. If the season ended after this matchday, the club would have qualified for the Europa League.
Of course, nine games played is just a fraction of a full season. And yet a little more than half of the first half of the season is now over, so that an interim conclusion can be drawn and Werder’s path so far can be praised – and should be. After all, this partial success is anything but ordinary. Because no matter how big and prestigious the club name is, you are still a climber, a league returnee with little financial means.
What has distinguished Bremen so far is their clear plan. They have been implementing this since Ole Werner took over as coach in November of the previous year. The motto: self-confidence, courage, team spirit and offensive.
Aspects that the team now has in their blood. This can be seen in every game. The belief that a goal could be scored up to the last minute has brought many a point. The game against BVB will be fondly remembered on the Weser. The winning goal against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday also came a few minutes before the final whistle.
And there is a reason for this belief: Werder create good chances so often that the players can assume with a clear conscience that they will take advantage of one of these great chances.
It is not for nothing that the Werner team currently has the second-best offensive in the whole league. The emphasis again: as a climber!
20 goals have already been scored. Only FC Bayern is better off with 25 goals. Especially since no other club can match the 20 Bremen goals so quickly. The next best teams are at 16 goals. Accordingly, it is not too bad that 14 goals were conceded at the same time. Often the own offensive provides the decisive advantage.
In the transfer summer, no unusual amounts were spent for a promoted player. The only commitment that wasn’t a free transfer or a loan return: four million euros for Jens Stage. And the Dane was not even undisputedly in the starting XI in the last few games.
No matter which aspect is focused on, it shows: Werder can rely on a very solid foundation that is currently helping the team through the return season. Werner has a very large part in this and one that should by no means be underestimated, although Frank Baumann and Co. should not be forgotten in their roles either.
It can already be said boldly and offensively, in line with the style of play: Provided there are no major surprises and setbacks, such as several injuries, Bremen will have nothing to do with the relegation battle. Much more likely, at the end of the season, a very confident midfield position will be the result, which in turn can again be used as a good basis for further developments.
If you look at Schalke 04, for example, the co-promoters, you get a completely different picture. Due to the previous mistake of sticking with Dimitrios Grammozis for so long that an interim solution had to be found with Mike Büskens, there was a need to start all over again in the summer. With Frank Kramer then a mistake was made with an announcement.
Now S04 is under pressure and the coach is about to be eliminated. Instead of being able to rely on a foundation just as much, there is nervousness and the absolute need to install an emergency solution again. Schalke are jealously looking north these days.
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Werder is moving forward with a clear plan – safe relegation as a logical consequence? released.
