these in-season friendlies (even during an international break) are always confusing. Like why? what if you're in a relegation battle and your star player gets injured after 5 minutes playing some 5th division team?
Grabs an assist: GOAL! @pizarrinha opens the scoring for #Werder after @aronjo20's pass 🍕 (37') // #vfbsvw 0-1 pic.twitter.com/NTax7B0dmL— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 22, 2017
O/T do you guys think Lewandowski will beat Pizarro's record as the top scoring foreigner in the Bundesliga? I've only been following the beautiful game since 07 but Pizarro in his peak, was he ever among the top strikers in the world? He has some pretty good stats. Scoring consistently and all but he seems more respected for durability rather than technique IMO.
Added a couple of 2nd half goals: .@aronjo20 gets in on the action and makes it FIVE for #Werder! (71') // #vfbsvw 0-5 pic.twitter.com/LSFQVEIhlg— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 22, 2017 .@aronjo20 adds a sixth for #Werder in the closing stages (82') // #vfbsvw 0-6 pic.twitter.com/wATzFr1Ssd— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) March 22, 2017
I'm guessing star players aren't featuring in these games unless it's to get them match fit after an injury.
1) Since when has Aaron been a "star player"? 2) Even star players need to be kept physically fit, and a run-out in a friendly is as good a way as any 3) AJ is just being eased back from long-term injury: the last thing he and Bremen want is him pulling a muscle or a hamstring after the international break because his muscles/hamstrings had tightened after a long(ish) layoff
The first game after his return from injury, on February 5th, is the one where he played the most minutes (vs. Augsburg): 27. After that, it's been bench and playing 11 and 18 minutes (vs. Gladbach & Leipzig). More than the reintroduction of an injured player, looks like the path of a guy with an ongoing problem.
I kinda meant in general. But I would guess before such a match there's an understanding that it's just a friendly and all should take it as such.
The final goal yesterday: Aron #Johannsson und Ousman #Manneh schnüren Doppelpack, #Eilers muss verletztungsbedingt vom Feld 👉 https://t.co/913wsagcfa pic.twitter.com/hIiRCePEne— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) March 23, 2017
On the bench: Our substitutes this afternoon are: Drobny, S. García, Caldirola, Kainz, Johannsson, Pizarro, U. García. #werder #scfsvw— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 1, 2017
On the bench: On the bench: Drobny - Kainz, Johannsson, U. Garcia, Bartels, M. Eggestein, Manneh.— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 4, 2017
Last time gramps Claudio scored was on Match 10, when he came in on the 76' and scored on the 79' away to Chicharo's Bayer. The last time Aronjo scored was September 11 last year, in a PK at home vs. Augsburg.
On the bench: Die #Werder-Bank: Drobny - Pizarro, Johannsson, Kainz, Zander, Eilers, U. Garcia. #sgesvw— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) April 7, 2017
World Cup in America in 2026 yes please!! Are we sending @ussoccer and Chicago Fire?!? Zlatan tell me the secret I want to be there!!!— Aron Jóhannsson (@aronjo20) April 10, 2017
On the bench: On the bench: Drobny – Bauer, Kainz, Johannsson, Pizarro, Gnabry, Bargfrede. #svwhsv #Nordderby— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 16, 2017
On the bench: On the bench for #Werder today: Drobny - Johannsson, Pizarro, Eilers, U. Garcia, Gnabry and Bargfrede.— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) April 22, 2017
How the heck is Werder Bremen in a Europa League spot now? I quit watching them after Johannsson got relegated to the bench, but they were absolutely dreadful early in the season--bad defense, bad midfield, and only the spark of Gnabry and occasionally Johannsson to create any offense.
New manager. I saw the previous coach's last game and new guy's second game and the difference was astonishing: from limp and apathetic to galvanized and stubborn. IIRC there weren't that many new signings in the winter break. It's mostly down to getting the existing squad to play.