Hatayspor
Bodrum FK
Erzurumspor FK
Esenler Erokspor
Manisa FK
Yeni Malatyaspor
Stoke City
Hull City
Augsburg
Mainz
Alaves
Sevilla
Cagliari
Empoli
Hellas Verona
Torino
Nice
St Etienne
Zwolle
AZ Alkmaar
The squad: SVW’s coach has almost a full squad to choose from in Augsburg. Only Amos Pieper is unavailable. The centre-back suffered a thigh muscle injury at the end of July and is still completing his rehab work for that issue.
The head coach on the opposition: “Augsburg have made a number of changes to their squad and have gained a lot of experience. They are guys which have attributes that Augsburg players generally have: physicality, pace and power. It’s important we avoid making mistakes with the ball and play at pace, especially when we have the chance of getting in behind. It will be a classic game against Augsburg with new faces. I’m expecting a team that looks to get it forward quickly and players that rotate positions a lot. Our lads will need to communicate well with one another. We will also need to have something up our sleeves for the set pieces, though Augsburg also have quality in that regard. Dead balls could prove decisive.”
Six points from six last season
The last meetings: Werder and Augsburg have a fairly even record across all competitions: SVW have beaten the Fuggerstädter 13 times and suffered 12 defeats (plus 3 draws). Werder did the double over FCA without conceding a single goal last season for the first time ever. However, Werner doesn’t want to read too much into that after the changes to Augsburg’s squad. “You can often look at the most recent meeting, but that can be somewhat deceiving. Although there haven’t been many games in between, it’s still three or four months ago. The two teams were in a different place back then. We both now have to settle into the new season.”
A long wait: SV Werder haven’t won on the opening matchday in the last 11 years. Since Zlatko Junzuovic’s goal in a 1-0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig in 2013, SVW have drawn four times and lost six games on the opening weekend.
The head coach on the opposition: “Augsburg have made a number of changes to their squad and have gained a lot of experience. They are guys which have attributes that Augsburg players generally have: physicality, pace and power. It’s important we avoid making mistakes with the ball and play at pace, especially when we have the chance of getting in behind. It will be a classic game against Augsburg with new faces. I’m expecting a team that looks to get it forward quickly and players that rotate positions a lot. Our lads will need to communicate well with one another. We will also need to have something up our sleeves for the set pieces, though Augsburg also have quality in that regard. Dead balls could prove decisive.”
