After a surprisingly strong first half of the year, Werder Bremen 2023 is hardly doing anything. Much is currently reminiscent of the relegation season, when a supposedly comfortable lead in the final sprint was given away. But as then, those responsible do not (yet) see any great danger this time.
When Werder coach Ole Werner and head of the license area Clemens Fritz were asked a few weeks ago about possible parallels to the complete crash in Bremen in 2021, the otherwise level-headed faces of the Hanseatic League reacted with unusual irritation.
“To be honest, I can’t take it anymore,” Fritz resolutely dismissed all comparisons after the 3-2 home defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.
It’s been three weeks since then and nothing has actually gotten any better. A hard-fought 2-2 draw at Borussia Mönchengladbach was followed by another sobering performance at the Weser Stadium against Kellerkind 1899 Hoffenheim (1-2) after the international break.
“You have to be vigilant. These points won’t be enough to stay in the league,” said coach Werner after another setback on Sunday.
The Green-Whites are still nine points apart from Hertha BSC in relegation place 16, but the lead could soon shrink threateningly, after all there are many direct duels in the basement.
Werder managers are totally relaxed
And Werder? They have only got four points from the last seven matches. The Hanseatic League were rarely really bad, but they were hardly convincing either.
Defensively strangely sleepy and careless, without a plan B going forward if the long balls to national player Niclas Füllkrug don’t work – it could get very tight for the promoted team in the remaining eight games.
Especially since there are mainly opponents waiting on the home straight who are qualitatively significantly better or at least in better shape than Bremen.
The fear of a déjà vu is growing in the environment, even if those responsible continue to appear totally relaxed. The fact that Werner is more and more wrong with his line-ups is pushed aside, as are doubts about the quality of the squad formulated by the media.
Filling jug whereabouts increasingly unlikely
The fact is, however, that the momentum of the first third of the season, when the tailwind of promotion carried Werder to a few victories, is no longer felt at all. Especially at home, there is far too little from the SVW.
This also increases the likelihood that top scorer Füllkrug will leave the club in the summer. Although Fritz denied a “Sky” report on Tuesday, according to which the 30-year-old had already decided to change. The hyped attacker should not see his future in a relegation battle – and certainly not in the 2nd Bundesliga.
But that’s exactly what the people of Bremen are slowly heading towards, according to the trend of the last few months. Only the bosses obviously see it differently. Like two years ago, when everyone only got hectic when it was basically too late.
Heiko Lütkehus
