Injury-hit Werder aim to bounce back in Augsburg

On a four-game winless run, Werder Bremen look to bounce back against Augsburg, but personnel concerns are adding to the challenges for Horst Steffen and his team.

After disappointing defeats against Hamburger SV (3-2) and VfB Stuttgart (0-4), Werder Bremen look to bounce back and end the year with a win when they travel to face Augsburg on Saturday.

“This can be a good way to round off a year that has had its ups and downs. What has happened is done,” Werder coach Horst Steffen said at his pre-match press conference.

With the Green-Whites on a four-game winless streak, Steffen is well aware that criticism of his work has increased recently.

“The last two games were not good – that is a clear conclusion we have to draw,” Steffen said.

“Werder are a big club with many fans, all of whom want things to move forward. When that doesn’t happen, criticism follows, and I am the one responsible. I accept that. I know both sides of the business,” he added.

Personnel concerns are not making things any easier for Werder. Karim Coulibaly is suspended following his sending-off against Stuttgart, Victor Boniface will miss out again due to a knee problem, and captain Marco Friedl is a doubt with a shoulder issue.

“Because there was nothing structural, I’m confident he can play,” Steffen said of Friedl.

“But he hasn’t really moved yet, so we’ll only see how it feels once we do – we’ll probably test that on Friday.”