Opponent analysis: SV Werder Bremen vs RB Leipzig

Finishing the year off in Bremen!

Three days after our emotional 3-1 victory over TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig will travel to the Weserstadion for an encounter with SV Werder Bremen on Tuesday evening (18:30 CET). RBL will be aiming to end the year on a high note and stay third in the Bundesliga heading into the winter break.

The clash with Werder isn’t just our last game of the calendar year – it will also be the final game for an RBL legend. Emil Forsberg will make his final-ever appearance in the white and red of RB Leipzig on Tuesday before he and his family move to the Big Apple.

Werder will be aiming to deny Emil a fairytale finish. The Green-Whites currently sit 14th in the table after picking up 15 points from 15 games. Ole Werner’s side are currently on a two-game unbeaten run, but we’ve won our last seven competitive games against SVW.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know about Werder’s form, key players, and more in our opposition analysis.

The story of an RBL icon

Thank you for everything, Emil!

Form

SVW have suffered eight defeats this campaign – only UnionBerlin and SVDarmstadt have lost more games than the Green-Whites (both 10). That being said, Werder have only lost two of their past seven games (2-0 against Stuttgart and 3-0 against BayerLeverkusen).
In their most recent home match, Werder defeated FCAugsburg 2-0, before drawing 2-2 with BorussiaMönchengladbach on Friday. SVW have enjoyed playing at the Weserstadion this season. They’ve won fourgames in Bremen, which gives them the best home record outside the top five teams in the league.

SVW’s last five games

2-2 against Borussia Mönchengladbach (matchday 15)
2-0 win against FC Augsburg (matchday 14)
2-0 loss against VfB Stuttgart (matchday 13)
3-0 loss against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (matchday 12)
2-2 against Eintracht Frankfurt (matchday 11)

Key facts

Werder have won 334headers this season, the fourth-most in the league behind Bochum, Mainz (both 409) and Augsburg (335). They’ve also scored the joint-most headers (eight) in the Bundesliga this season alongside Union and FCBayern.
SVW are dangerous down the flanks. Ten of their goals this season have come from crosses, which is the highest tally in the league. Against Gladbach, the Green-Whites bagged twice after dangerous balls into the box.
The Green-Whites count two former RBL players among their ranks in Anthony Jung (2013 – 2017) and Naby Keita (2016 – 2018).
Anthony has been a regular feature on Werder’s left-hand side this season, but Naby has been hampered by injuries since returning to the Bundesliga in the summer. He’s only been able to make three appearances in the league for Werder so far and has only been named in the starting XI once. He was on the bench for last weekend’s game against Gladbach, but didn’t come on.

Squad

Transfers

Arrivals: Werder bolstered their attack in the summer, with Dawid Kownacki being signed on a permanent basis from Fortuna Düsseldorf and Rafael Borre (four goals this campaign) arriving on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. Nick Woltemade returned to the side after a loan spell at Elversberg, while Justin Njinmah also returned to Bremen after spending one-and-a-half years on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Former Leipzig player Naby Keita also made the switch to Werder from Liverpool in the summer. SVW also recruited Belgians Olivier Deman (Cercle Brugge) and Senne Lynen (Union Saint-Gilloise) from the Jupiler Pro League.
Departures: Star striker Niklas Füllkrug decided to move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Oliver Burke and Eren Dinkci were loaned out to Birmingham and FC Heidenheim respectively.
Maximilian Philipp departed Bremen for SC Freiburg, while Niklas Schmidt left for Toulouse. Ilia Gruev moved to Championship side Leeds United. Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lee Buchanan (Birmingham) and Jean Manuel Mbom (FC Viborg) are all also no longer at the club.

Key players

Since Füllkrug’s departure, Marvin Ducksch has spearheaded Werder’s attack. The 29-year-old enjoys facilitating his teammates, but he has also been the Green-Whites’ top scorer this season. Ducksch has bagged seven goals this season in addition to registering four assists, which means he’s been involved in half of all Werder’s goals. He made his Germany debut in the 3-2 loss against Turkey in November.
Mitchell Weiser has started all 15 of Werder’s Bundesliga matches this season. The right midfielder is a crucial component for Werder’s style of play, with his dynamism and tackling ability. His dangerous balls forward can also cause problems for the opposition. He’s one of the most energetic players in the league, having completed 438 sprints over the course of the season.
Romano Schmid has impressed as an attacking midfielder this term. The 23-year-old is the smallest player in the squad, standing at 5’6″, but he is probably Werder’s most talented dribbler. The Austrian international is one of the first names on the team sheet for Bremen. He’s a skilful, creative operator who regularly impresses as a playmaker for Werder, even against more physical opposition.

Absentees

Amos Pieper (broken ankle), Nicolai Rapp (foot injury) and Leon Opitz (torn ankle ligament) are all unavailable.
It’s still unclear whether Werder’s captain Marco Friedl will be involved on Tuesday. He’s missed SVW’s last two games due to adductor problems, but returned to training on Sunday and looks likely to be named in the squad as a result.

Head coach

Ole Werner has been in charge of Werder Bremen for two years. He has led Werder from 10th place in the 2. Bundesliga back to the first division since taking over in November 2021.
Before taking the helm in Bremen, the 35-year-old, who is currently the youngest head coach in the Bundesliga, spent seven successful years at Holstein Kiel. He mostly uses a 3-1-4-2 system and has generally opted for a three-man backline this season.

RBL’s record vs Bremen

Head-to-head

10 wins, one draw, two losses – 28 goals scored, 13 conceded
Six wins at home, four away
Top goalscorers:Marcel Sabitzer, Naby Keita (both three goals)
Biggest win: 4-1 on 10th April 2021 (Goals: Dani Olmo, Alexander Sørloth 2x, Marcel Sabitzer)