Lüneburger SK Hansa v Werder Bremen: DFB-Pokal first round preview | OneFootball

Werder Bremen return to competitive action in the DFB-Pokal at semi-pro Lüneburger SK Hansa, a tie that still demands care given their recent early exits.

According to BuLi News, pressure is genuine after a chaotic season that ended in safety but little else. Ole Werner departed the previous summer, Horst Steffen began reasonably yet oversaw a slump into the bottom third and was sacked, and Daniel Thioune eventually steadied the side.

An eventful summer could send Bremen up the table or back towards relegation. Departures include goalkeeper Mio Backhaus, playmaker Romano Schmid and centre-back Karim Coulibaly, who is heading to France.

Karl Hein steps up as the new number one after serving as deputy, while Chuki, Cedric Itten, Dariusz Stalmach, Kenny Quetant and Oskar Wojcik add promise, if not guarantees.

Bigger arrivals followed, with Australia’s starting goalkeeper Alexander Schalger to act as number two and former Hamburg captain Ludovit Reis joining on a free. Loans for Eren Dinkci and Niklas Fullkrug bolster the frontline, and if both stay fit they could score freely.

Injuries already bite. Karl Hein, Mitchell Weiser, Felix Agu, Niklas Stark, Oskar Wojcik, Dariusz Stalmach, Eren Dincki and Keke Topp are ruled out.

Thioune still has options. Schalger can start in goal, Marco Friedl and Amos Pieper are first-choice at centre-back, Olivier Deman should play left-back, and youngster Mick Schmetgens is in line to cover the right.

Senne Lynen anchors midfield and Jens Stage is available to start. The uncertainty lies in attack.

Chuki impressed in pre-season and there is hope Samuel Mbangula is ready to break out. If used behind the two new centre forwards, Niclas Fullkrug and Cedric Itten, that setup could create chances and goals.

If Bremen click they should progress comfortably. If not, jitters about the season will surface immediately.

Source: BuLi News

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”