Well, it just had to be. The schedule gods have determined that our beloved Green & Whites be offered as sacrifice to the back to back defending champions Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. I must say, I expect us to be beaten, and by several goals. I think its important to not be too worried by such a result. It will be a long season, and I suspect, a happy season, for our team. Lineup I would like to see (4-1-4-1) GK: Mielitz DR: Gebre-Selassie DC: Sokratis DC: Prodl DL: Schmitz DM: Fritz AMR: Arnautovic MC: Hunt MC: Bargfrede AML: Elia ST: Peterson wow, what a very different squad we have this season. Pre match predictions?
i see de Bruyne ahead of Bargfrede... i would probably play Fullkrug ahead of Petersen, but Schaaf will likely start Petersen. i don't make final score predictions, but i do predict de Bruyne over Bargfrede in the starting 11 for the Dortmund match. heck, i would probably even toss Juno ahead of Bargfrede in the pecking order with Fritz covering DM responsibilities. de Bruyne has to start over Bargfrede, way too much talent to leave on the bench lol Dortmund has picked up a few bumps the last few days, maybe they can pick up a few more with the DFB Pokal this weekend. it may be a sacrifice like you say, but i think it may be a bit closer than you would think
I certainly hope you are correct in your belief that this match will be closer than many would expect. Perhaps the weight of expectation on Dortmund's players will cause them to stumble out of the gate. Also, your thoughts on de Bruyne and Junozovic are spot on. Playing either of these players in lieu of Bargfede would be a statement by Schaaf showing his continued commitment to playing that attacking football we fell in love with several years ago.... I just wonder if Schaaf may get cold feed and be a bit more conservative in his approach.
if Bargfrede starts over de Bruyne or Juno, it will be a sacrifice to Dortmund lol... the only way i see Bargfrede playing is if Fritz picks up a bump before now and then (or a Fritz injury during the match).
Even at the DM position, I would prefer starting Iggy over Bargfrede. I also expect that Juno and De Bruyne will play in lieu of Hunt and Bargs. It is also possible that we'll play a 4-3-3 since we drew against Dortmund with that formation. If that's the case, I'd expect Juno-Fritz-deBruyne to marshall our midfield behind the obvious Elia-Petersen-Arno combination. Sadly, despite being given the number 10, I see Ekici playing a fairly small roll this season.
i would definitely pick Juno over Hunt... but with all the talk this preseason surrounding Hunt as the pk and freekick taker, i think he will get the benefit of starting for a while because of it. but I too, would prefer a center of the park with Juno, de Bruyne and Fritz
Bargfrede made a strong impression at the test match this week, but Juno and Kevin De Bruyne were the strongest player in the season preparation IMHO. Well, but before dreaming of the Dortmund match we have to concentrate on Münster. They have already 5 matches played and started very well in 3. Liga. This can become a cup fight.
I actually really like Hunt--the people who have been here awhile will recall that--but even I'm not sure if he'll start. That being said, though, he seems like the best candidate to be our vice captain this season (based on how long he has been with the team.) Talent wise, I don't think there is an argument for starting him. However, TS loves him (even more than I do!), so that will probably see him win quite a few starts.
looks like the foot injury Elia picked up will hold him out of practice the next few days... has a chance to return against Dortmund on Friday, but we will see how he progresses as week goes on
Our roster for today: Sebastian Mielitz, Raphael Wolf, Theodor Gebre Selassie, Assani Lukimya, Sebastian Prödl, Sokratis, Lukas Schmitz, Aleksandar Ignjovski, Philipp Bargfrede, Clemens Fritz, Aaron Hunt, Mehmet Ekici, Kevin de Bruyne, Zlatko Junuzovic, Eljero Elia, Marko Arnautovic, Nils Petersen, Niclas Füllkrug
After another calamitous cup exit, the boys better focus and give a gritty performance. I don't expect too much against Dortmund, but if theres one thing I hope to see from Bremen this season, is that they put a stop to conceding soft and amateur goals, and actually play some defense!
That will probably not change. The team is built from scratch, some of the players have great potential, but are inexperienced. I expect a season with ups and downs.
starting 11 for today's match is... looks like they will be Mielie - Iggy, Sokratis, Prodl, Theo- Elia, Hunt, Fritz, Juno, de Bruyne- Arnautovic
Well done by Reus, but every 3rd league player had made it. Ignjovski is so pathetic, I don't know why Schaaf fielded this looser.
agreed, too many touches by Elia... positive is Werder is creating good opportunities, negative is the back line is not looking good haha
HT 1-0 Dortmund Reus 11 mins Iggy looked out of place several times at left back, but i doubt Schaaf wastes a substitution to bring Schmitz on... Arnautovic has not done much, I would like to see Fullkrug brought on if possible