Werder Bremen Updates | Victor Boniface remains far off match fitness, Salim Musa (20) may receive first Bundesliga start | OneFootball

Werder Bremen trainer Daniel Thioune answered questions about strikers Victor Boniface and Salim Musah at his Friday pre-match press conference. Werder prepare for a crucial relegation six-pointer against 1. FC Köln this Sunday in Germany’s cathedral city. Bremen (14th place, 28 points) remain just a shade ahead of Köln (15th place, 27 points) heading into the critical matchday 29 encounter. 

Victor Boniface still not a factor in Werder Bremen’s plans

After the Nigerian returned to individual training last week, Thioune emphasized that Boniface still had quite a bit of catching up to do; both physically and mentally. Thioune expressed sympathy for the 25-year-old’s plight over the course of this disastrous season, yet remained candid about the Bayer Leverkusen loanee’s failure to properly manage his weight. 

“I did wonder why someone would allow themselves to allow their condition to fall below that necessary for competitive athletics,” Thioune said. “But I also want to know what the background is. I have some knowledge of why things turned out the way they did. And that’s why Victor has my backing. There’s no need to point fingers or assign blame.

“A young player who has seen much and succeeded well had to deal with some psychological tolls after being told he wouldn’t be playing football for a few months,” Thioune continued. “It’s too early for him because he’s not in the proper physical condition. There’s no need to go deeper.“

Salim Musah to start for Bremen up front?

With striker Keke Topp out for the season and Justin Njinmah struggling with thigh problems, it might prove the case that rising talent Salim Musah will earn his first Bundesliga start against die Geißböcke on Sunday. Stuttgart loanee Jovan Milosevic – after injuring himself on matchday 24 – returned to log some minutes as a substitute in last week’s loss against Leipzig, but Thioune made clear that one of the team’s few bright spots isn’t ready for the XI yet. 

“Jovan has a lot of catching up to do,” Thioune reveals. “The 15 minutes we gave him against Leipzig were also the maximum. He was very tired afterward.“

“Salim Musah is a candidate for the starting lineup,” Thioune also noted. “He wants more. He’s pushing forward.“

GGFN | Peter Weis