“We know exactly where we stand”

To succeed in doing this, the Green-Whites will have to put in a series of strong performances and channel the positivity from their success streak on the road earlier in the season. “You can’t dispute that the boys have given 100 percent throughout the year, but it takes a lot of skill for that effort to transfer into perfection on the pitch,” admitted the head coach, whose side has experienced a fluctuation in performance levels throughout the campaign due to difficulties surrounding squad availability. “When we had consistency in our ranks, we often came close to success,” explained Werner. “It’s crucial that we don’t take a step back or shy away from any team when we do have a full squad.”

In good news, however, the 35-year-old will have Niklas Stark back in his ranks for the upcoming fixture. After a reasonably long spell on the sidelines due to injury, the defender was involved and put through his paces in every session this week, and will be an option for Ole Werner’s squad at the weekend. Head of professional football Clemens Fritz emphasised how important it will be for the Green-Whites to play with tenacity on Saturday afternoon. “Augsburg’s intensity and aggression on the pitch make them a very tricky team to come up against,” he revealed. SVW will need to adapt to their opponent’s sharpness and close up any gaps in their units, while at the same time looking for spaces to exploit in Augsburg’s defence. “Our main objective will be to find ways to break their lines while under pressure, so that we can get in behind and take shots like we did against Stuttgart.”

Preparing for each opponent on a week-on-week basis and maintaining the morale within the team will be the recipe for success for the Green-Whites in their remaining fixtures. In order for that to happen, Fritz urged the boys to remain both focused and mindful over the next few weeks. “Everyone is aware that we still want and need to pick up points,” he remarked. “We’re confident enough to do that,” interjected Werner, adding: “If we perform like we did last week against Augsburg, we’ll be in with a chance.”

????️ Ole Werner on the squad:
“Amos Pieper is still absent, as are Skelly Alvero and Jiri Pavlenka. Jens Stage is currently suspended, and Justin Njinmah is ill.”#werder#fcasvwpic.twitter.com/qdiTe1fxoZ
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 25, 2024