Friedl faces setback as Bremen struggle in defence

With several key players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions, Werder Bremen face a tough test in their back line this weekend.

Marco Friedl once again faces the prospect of being sidelined after sustaining a medial ligament injury to his knee in Werder Bremen’s Bundesliga opener against Frankfurt.

“There are positive signs from Marco, but we’ll have to wait and see over the next two days,” said Werder head of first-team football Peter Niemeyer to Bild ahead of Bremen’s Sunday clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Bremen’s already fragile defence would hardly improve without their captain. Niklas Stark is suspended after receiving a second yellow card against Leverkusen, while Amos Pieper, Maximilian Wöber and Julian Malatini are all injured.

That would leave 18-year-old Karim Coulibaly, who struggled against Leverkusen but then scored an injury-time equaliser, as the only fit, natural centre-back. 

“He is fully integrated; everyone was happy for him,” said Niemeyer.

Skelly Alvero, normally a defensive midfielder, would once again be called upon to fill in at the back as he did in the previous game. 

Niemeyer praised Alvero for his performance after seven months of absence: 

“He did really well, even though the position was unfamiliar to him.“