WERDER BREMEN NEWS

Germany stay alive with 1-1 draw vs Spain Niclas Fullkrug scored as Germany came from behind to draw 1-1 with Spain on Sunday, earning a crucial point that keeps Die Mannschaft’s Wor...

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Niclas Fullkrug - Scores equalizer in draw Fullkrug scored one goal from three shots (one on goal) in 20 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Spain.

Impact Fullkrug has played for the German national team on just three occasions and now has scored twice, with Sunday's goal his first in the World Cup. His good form might be too much to ignore with qualification on the line in the finale against Costa Rica and he'll hope to remain a reliable option in the weeks to come.

NOVEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Milos Veljkovic - Starting against Brazil Veljkovic (achilles) is in Serbia's starting lineup for Thursday's clash against Brazil.

Impact Veljkovic has recovered from an achilles knock that sidelined him for last week's international friendly win over Bahrain and he's starting in Serbia's back-three on Thursday.

NOVEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niclas Fullkrug - Makes substitute appearance Fullkrug (illness) logged 19 minutes off the bench versus Japan on Wednesday.

Impact Fullkrug had missed training with Germany due to the flu in the lead-up to Wednesday's contest. With the team's stunning loss to Japan, it could see some shake-ups in the starting XI which could clear the way for Fullkrug to be in contention to start.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Milos Veljkovic - Unused in friendly Veljkovic (Achilles) was an unused substitute during Friday's 5-1 friendly win over Bahrain.

Impact Veljkovic went unused on the bench as he continues to make his way back from an Achilles tendon injury. The defender did go through a full warm-up session with the rest of the team, but remains a heavy doubt for the opening match of the World Cup. Nikola Milenkovic could get the start if Veljkovic is unable to return for Thursday's clash with Brazil.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niclas Fullkrug - Misses training with flu Fullkrug (illness) missed Saturday's training session, Kerry Hau reports.

Impact Fullkrug missed training Saturday with a flu, though it's not considered overly serious. The German debutant is an interesting conundrum if fit. He is certainly the most in-form Germany forward, but is earning his first competitive cap at 29. If fully fit Fullkrug will likely begin on the bench, but his form could see him earn a surprising amount of playing time in Qatar.

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Senegal star Sadio Mané out of World Cup after operation

The Senegalese soccer federation and Bayern Munich say forward Sadio Mané will miss the World Cup after undergoing surgery for his leg injury

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oliver Burke - Appears in fourteen matches Burke made 14 appearances and one start during the first half of the Bundesliga, scoring twice.

Impact Burke has been a difference-maker off the bench, but hasn't shown any signs of moving ahead of Marvin Ducksch or Niclas Fullkrug in the starting XI. Barring injuries Burke won't be in the starting XI, and his limited minutes off the bench knock him out of a contention as a fantasy option.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niklas Schmidt - Nets in first half Schmidt scored once during seven appearances (one start) in the first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Schmidt has played just 200 minutes in the opening 15 matches, creating two chances in that time, and scoring once. The defender remains a limited option while in this more rotational role, but when starting he can have some upside in deep-lying midfield. Schmidt will only likely be starting when there are injuries above him in the depth chart.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jens Stage - One assist in six starts Stage provided one assist during 14 appearances (six starts) int he first half of the Bundesliga.

Impact Stage started the season with five starts in the opening six matches, but fell out of the starting XI in the latter portion of the season. The midfielder offers little upside off the bench, but in the rare matches he starts he has the chance for assists, after creating four chances in the opening three matches.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niklas Stark - Starts three of final four Stark made three starts in the final four matches before the Winter break.

Impact Stark opened the season on the bench with limited playing time but picked up starts in six out of eight of the final matches. Stark has looked impressive alongside Marco Friedl in central defense, and seems to be establishing himself as a nailed-on option after joining Werder Bremen from Hertha in the Summer.

NOVEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leonardo Bittencourt - 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

Füllkrug's patience rewarded with Germany World Cup spot

Niclas Füllkrug took the scenic route before earning his first call-up for Germany on the eve of the World Cup

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jiri Pavlenka - Single save for loss Pavlenka made one save and three clearances in Saturday's 2-1 loss versus RB Leipzig.

Impact Pavlenka ended the first half of the Bundesliga with a disappointing loss, stopping just one of the three shots he faced. The goalkeeper has been an all-in-all impressive option throughout the opening portion of the season even though he has only two clean sheets in 15 matches. It's unlikely he will continue to compete for a European spot in the second half, but Pavlenka and Bremen do look on pace to easily avoid relegation.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Friedl - Busy in loss Friedl had one cross (one accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig.

Impact Friedl went the full 90 in the final match before the World Cup break, putting in a season-high four tackles and two chances created. The center-back has been excellent while healthy, marshalling the Werder defense masterfully and creating seven chances going forward. Friedl remains an impressive option at center-back, with an ability to get forward despite his more defensive role.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niclas Fullkrug - Four shots in loss Fullkrug had four shots (three on goal), one cross (zero accurate), and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 loss against RB Leipzig.

Impact Fullkrug continued his high-volume play during Saturday's loss, with four shots and creating one chance. The striker remains one of the top options in the Bundesliga, and has earned a spot in the German national team. Fullkrug even has potential to be leading the line for Germany heading into the opening match of the World Cup after scoring 10 times in the opening 14 matches of the Bundesliga.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Assists Saturday Schmid assisted once to go with zero corners in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig.

Impact Schmid provided one assist, his second in 14 appearances. The midfielder hasn't offered as much going forward, with just 13 chances created. That said Schmid has taken on a consistent role in the starting XI, and has occasionally taken a role on set-pieces late in matches. Schmid is on pace to blow past his career-high three assists from the 2020/21 campaign at the halfway point of the Bundesliga.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Gross - Nets first goal Gross scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 loss versus RB Leipzig.

Impact Gross scored his first Bundesliga goal in his third season in the division. The midfielder has been an excellent option in defensive midfield throughout the campaign, but has offered next to nothing going forward. That's unlikely to change after the Winter break, but Gross should continue to offer a safe defensive floor moving forward.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fans across German stadiums call for Qatar World Cup boycott

Germany’s professional soccer leagues have been marked by widespread protests against the World Cup in Qatar

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bayern stretches Bundesliga lead ahead of World Cup break

Bayern Munich stretched its Bundesliga lead to six points with a 2-0 win over Schalke in its last game ahead of the break for the World Cup

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ilia Gruev - Misses out through illness Gruev is not in the match day squad to face Leipzig due to illness.

Impact Gruev misses out on the final match before the World Cup after coming down with an illness in the buildup. The midfielder has just over two months to recover before Bremen's next league match.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niclas Fullkrug - Leading the line Saturday Fullkrug is fit and in the starting XI for Saturday's match against Leipzig.

Impact Fullkrug is good to go after dealing with a back injury in the buildup to the match. The forward will lead the line for Bremen as he looks to add his to impressive total of ten league goals in 13 starts.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Milos Veljkovic - Won't play Saturday Veljkovic will miss Saturday's match against Werder Bremen due to an issue with his Achilles tendon, his club have announced.

Impact Veljkovic had been limited in training and now misses out altogether. Niklas Stark is likely to take the place of Veljkovic after doing the same in Tuesday's loss to Bayern Munich. To start the season, Veljkovic scored once and kept two clean sheets in 12 appearances.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Germany taking Moukoko, 17, to World Cup; Reus misses out

Germany is taking 17-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko to the World Cup but Borussia Dortmund teammates Marco Reus and Mats Hummels have missed out

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Michael Zetterer - Dealing with back issues Zetterer (back) is dealing with back issues and is likely out for Saturday's clash with Leipzig.

Impact Zetterer is out with back issues, though that isn't likely to change much. Jiri Pavlenka remains the starter and barring an injury will see all of the playing time during Saturday's clash with Leipzig. Zetterer could see playing time during the Winter break in friendlies, as he recovers fitness.

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE