LEONARDO BITTENCOURT NEWS

Available Friday Bittencourt (illness) is an option for Friday's contest against Koln, as manager Ole Werner stated, "Pieper, Veljkovic, Stark, Keita and Opitz are out. Everyone else is fit."

Impact Bittencourt may be making his return to the team sheet, being announced as available for Friday's match after being left out in their last game against Heidenheim due to an illness. The midfielder will now look to get the start if healthy, as just four contests ago, he ended a streak of 10 straight starts. However, if he doesn't start, expect Senne Lynen to get the nod in the midfield instead, with Bitrencourt still earning some time as a substitute to test his legs.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Bittencourt (illness) will not be an option for Saturday's match against Heidenheim, according to manager Ole Werner.

Impact Bittencourt will miss yet another match, this time with an illness. He has not started since Jan 14, having previously started 10 of the 11 games since. With his absence, the midfield line is expected to stay the same with Senne Lynen, Jens Stage and Romano Schmid for the match against Heidenheim.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles for impact Bittencourt recorded two shots (zero on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Friday's 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 61st minute.

Impact Bittencourt got the start over Senne Lynen but it was Lynen who came off the bench and seemed to have more impact. With Naby Keita (strain) seemingly injured perpetually the minutes should still be there for Bittencourt, the question is if he can actually make use of that playing time.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Trains fully Bittencourt (knee) took full part in team training Friday and is available for Sunday's trip to Heidenheim, according to manager Ole Werner.

Impact Bittencourt made his full return to training and is now an option to return. The midfielder could take an immediate role in the starting XI, though with Naby Keita (groin) also an option they could compete for the same role coming back into the first team.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes part in individual training Bittencourt trained individually away from the grass Monday while rehabbing from a knee injury.

Impact Bittencourt came off the bench to score against Mainz in the team's last game before the international break, but he's been plagued by knee problems over the last 18 months. Given he's yet to return to individual training on grass, he seems to be a long shot to face Heidenheim on Sunday, though given he's started just one match, his potential absence shouldn't alter many fantasy decisions.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores from the bench Bittencourt appeared as a substitute and scored with his only shot in Saturday's 4-0 win versus Mainz.

Impact Bittencourt started the opening loss to Bayern, but has Been on the bench for the two games since. He found the net within six minutes of coming on when he tapped in Justin Njinmah's cross at the back post. The midfielder registered five attacking returns (three goals and two assists) in 25 appearances last season.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Injuries slow season Bittencourt made 25 appearances (22 starts) scoring three times in an injury-riddled 2022/23 Bundesliga.

Impact Bittencourt managed five goal contributions while on the pitch but struggled with a variety of minor injuries. When fit Bittencourt was a frequent part of the starting XI in attacking midfield and on the right wing. Bittencourt ended the season fully fit starting all nine matches during the run-in.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opens the scoring Sunday Bittencourt scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal) and crossing once inaccurately during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Leipzig.

Impact Bittencourt found the back of the net in the 70th minute to open the scoring in the match. The goal was the third of the season for the midfielder and his first since August.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Active on both ends versus Bayern Bittencourt had three shots (one on target), created two chances, sent in three crosses (one accurate) and made nine tackles (five won) during Saturday's 2-1 loss against Bayern Mu...

Impact Bittencourt was one of Werder's few players capable of threatening the opposition on the attacking end and was even better on defense, more than doubling his previous season high in tackles. With two goals and two assists over 22 league appearances, the midfielder isn't having his most prolific campaign but often finds his way of being productive for fantasy purposes.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist against Freiburg Bittencourt created two chances and assisted a goal in Sunday's 2-1 defeat against SC Freiburg. He also won two of three tackles in the match

Impact Bittencourt set up a Maximilian Philipp strike just after halftime Sunday for his second assist of the season, both of them coming in his last four appearances since the start of March.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available as substitute Bittencourt is fit and in the match day squad to face Hoffenheim on Sunday.

Impact Bittencourt returns from an illness which has kept him out of Bremen's previous two matches. The midfielder starts from the bench but is available if called upon Sunday.

APRIL 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to partial training Bittencourt (illness) was back training in some capacity with Werder Bremen on Tuesday.

Impact Bittencourt missed his side's last two Bundesliga games due to an illness heading into the international break, but he now has an extended period of time to recover and should be fully fit by the time the club season resumes on April 2 against Hoffenheim.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Bittencourt is not in the match day squad to face Leverkusen on Sunday due to illness.

Impact Bittencourt misses out on Sunday's match after coming down with an illness in the buildup. The midfielder will hope to return in time for next week's trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.

MARCH 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist against Augsburg Bittencourt made an assist, had one off-target shot, sent in three crosses (one accurate), drew two fouls and was shown a yellow card during Saturday's 2-1 loss against Augsburg.

Impact Bittencourt had his first appearance on the scoresheet since August, assisting Jens Stage for his side's lone goal in the 16th minute with a cross from the right flank. With just two goals and an assist over 16 appearances this season, the midfielder is still far from expected regarding offensive production but will hope this assist is a sign of better things to come moving forward.

MARCH 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension served Bittencourt served a one-match ban and is now eligible for Saturday's clash with Bochum.

Impact Bittencourt served a one-match ban after being banned for yellow card accumulation. The midfielder should be straight back in the first team, though it's possible he returns to the bench and not straight into the starting XI.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shown fifth yellow card Bittencourt picked up his fifth yellow card in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Dortmund and will miss the team's next match.

Impact Bittencourt was shown his fifth yellow card this season Saturday, following a bad foul in the 35th minute. As a result he will miss next Saturday's match versus Eintracht Frankfurt and will be next available for selection on Feb. 25. He played fine before being subbed off at halftime, as he won two of four attempted tackles and made one clearance.

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Stuttgart Bittencourt is fit and in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Stuttgart.

Impact Bittencourt has recovered from an illness that kept him out a week ago to start on Sunday. The midfielder has scored twice in 12 appearances on the season.

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out with illness Bittencourt is not in the match day squad to face Wolfsburg on Saturday due to illness.

Impact Bittencourt misses out on the match after coming down with a cold in the build up. The midfielder should be ready in time for next weekend's match against Stuttgart.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Bittencourt has a cold and will be questionable for Saturday's clash against Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen manager Ole Werner said Friday.

Impact BIttencourt has started six consecutive Bundesliga matches for Bremen in attacking midfield, taking three shots (one on target) with one chance created in the 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin on Wednesday. But he will be a game time decision against Wolfsburg to this cold, with Jens Stage an option to replace him in the XI if necessary.

JANUARY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Wednesday Bittencourt (undisclosed) is in Werder Bremen's starting lineup for Wednesday's clash against Union Berlin.

Impact Bittencourt is starting in midfield against Union as expected.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Training with team Bittencourt (undisclosed) was back in full training with Werder Bremen this week ahead of Wednesday's clash against Union Berlin.

Impact Bittencourt has started each of Bremen's last five Bundesliga games in attacking midfield dating back to late October, and he could be available from the start once again on Wednesday.

JANUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Working individually Bittencourt was training separately from Werder Bremen on Sunday.

Impact Bittencourt started and played 64 minutes in Saturday's 7-1 defeat against FC Koln, and he seems to have picked up an issue ahead of the Union Berlin match on Wednesday. He has started five consecutive Bundesliga games for Bremen, but Jens Stage or Romano Schmid (knee) could replace him in midfield if necessary.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts final four matches Bittencourt made 10 appearances (eight starts), scoring twice in the first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Bittencourt only fell out of the starting XI while injured, anchoring the Werder Bremen midfield while healthy. The midfielder also offers offensive upside combining with Niclas Fullkrug and Marvin Ducksch in the attack. Bittencourt will have the chance to fully recover over the Winter break before captaining the team once more in the second half.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: Werder hosts Hertha, Lens looks to close in on PSG

Werder Bremen hosts Hertha Berlin in a meeting of two teams seeking mid-table sanctuary from the threat of relegation from the Bundesliga

OCTOBER 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Agrees contract extension Bittencourt has agreed a multi-year contract extension with Werder Bremen, the club announced Wednesday.

Impact Bittencourt will be staying with Werder Bremen long-term. The midfielder stuck with the club through relegation and has been a major contributor on their return to the Bundesliga. It's unclear how long the extension will be but Bittencourt is becoming the talisman for Bremen and has currently led them to the top half of the table, competing for a European berth.

OCTOBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE