Werder Bremen 2016-17: This is Osterdeich

Wolfsburg's struggles continue, and we now have a 1 point advantage over them in the standings. A draw between Darmstadt and HSV today would be a fairly favorable result.

 

Looks like the Hinrunde is over for Hajrovic as he's set to miss at least 1 month with that knee injury. Really hope that Nouri can give Kainz a chance during the next few matches.

 

Update: Results show that the knee injury is quite severe and Hajrovic will miss remainder of the season. Damn.

http://www.werder.de/aktuell/news/profis/20162017/hajrovic-verletzung-04122016/

 

Hertha could be without a couple of their regulars, as Weiser and Stark are a question mark for our match against them next Saturday.

 

Grillitsch is back on the pitch and returns to training.

 

Kein schöner Anlass aber dennoch stark: Der großartige Support des #Werder @werder Teams & meiner #comebackstronger-Crew für #Hajrovic. 💚💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/z9p6FZSlVw

— Cord Sauer (@cordsauer) December 9, 2016

 

Final score is a 1-0 win over Hertha on the road. A very clean and well fought result, especially against one of the Bundesliga's top sides. Kruse still needs to get off the Ailton diet, but otherwise delivered with the difference maker today. I thought Bauer, Lamine Sane, Santi Garcia and Bargfrede had rather strong performances. Drobny was also reliable when called upon in duty. Pizarro probably shouldn't be on the pitch for a whole 90 minutes, but he's an ageless wonder who can still provide moments of class and determination. These three points were critical as HSV and Ingolstadt also got wins today. We widen the lead over Wolfsburg though who lost badly to Bayern, and have even momentarily leaped ahead of Gladbach in the standings.

 

Verdienter Jubel nach einer starken Leistung. Macht so weiter! #bscsvw #Werder pic.twitter.com/7Z4fI0ujmJ

— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) December 10, 2016

 

Nice screw up by the Hamburger Morgenpost.

You wish. #werder #hsv pic.twitter.com/9M4Bl6l2Pz

— worum.org (@worum_org) December 12, 2016

 

Robert Bauer was MOTM against Hertha.

 

Justin Eilers is finally able to take part in full team training now.

 

A pretty reasonable first half against Köln, leveled at 1-1 right now. Köln began this one with a vast majority of the chances and controlling the run of play. Quite concerned with how things were going, until Gnabry hit the equalizer. Very well struck from distance, and also his 6th goal of the season. He created another chance as well just before half-time, with Pizarro's follow up shot deflecting off the crossbar.

 

Kessler making some huge saves for Köln today. Bartels just got denied a great chance.

Damn, and then Sorensen clears one before the goal line.

 

Would have wanted the full 3 points, but I can live with this being a draw. Especially against a tough opponent, who have been one of the most consistent sides in the Hinrunde. We definitely gave it a good effort though, came close on several chances. Some positives to take away from this game to build on.

 

And a draw against Hoffenheim to end off the 2016 calendar year. Thanks to Gnabry for scoring that equalizer. Again not great, but a satisfactory result while playing on the road. Our spot in the standings is basically where I'd expect us to be. Although, to be level on points with Wolfsburg and Gladbach right now certainly puts things in perspective. Still far from comfort though in terms of the battle against relegation. HSV are still behind us, but picking up a lot of ground in the past few weeks. While Ingolstadt and Darmstadt losing on this match day is good for us.

 

Lamine Sane with the third best duel winning percentages in the Bundesliga after 16 match days:

Beste Zweikampfwerte nach 16 #Bundesliga-Spieltagen (via BamS):
1. Hummels (#FCB) 70,1 %
2. Söyüncü (#SCF) 68,6 %
3. Sane (#Werder) 65,9 %

— worum.org (@worum_org) December 24, 2016

 

The two Austrians, Junuzovic and Grillitsch will be missing for the upcoming match after the break against Dortmund. They are ruled out with calf muscle and shoulder injuries respectively.

 

Bartels looking like Messi out there with that goal.

Fritz also unlucky earlier just striking the post.

 

Was never going to be easy to start off 2017 against Dortmund and Bayern. But this team has put up some solid battles. Great goal by Kruse today. Helped spark some momentum going into towards the second half. Hope to see more of Maxi Eggestein in the coming games. The kid is a nutmegging machine. Made 3 against Bayern today already. Veljkovic and Delaney continue to be encouraging for the most part. Kainz should also keep more playing time.

 

Looks like Maxi Eggestein is poised for the six role. Quality future option, especially with Grillitsch on the way out this summer.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...art-fuer-eggestein.html#omrss_news_bundesliga

 

Ulisses Garcia is in the starting XI today to take on Augsburg. Him and Bartels will cover the wing positions with Kruse as striker Delaney, Gnabry, and Junuzovic in midfield. While in defence, it's going to be Gebre Selassie, Sane, Veljkovic, and Bauer. Wiedwald continues his duties as GK.

http://www.ligainsider.de/bundesliga/saison-2016-2017_98/19-spieltag_1994/sv-werder-bremen/2/