Page 52 - Soccer360 - Issue 103

On-loan Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has the chance to impress for Union Berlin
Can Niclas Fullkrug maintain his scoring form for Werder Bremen this time around?
Union Berlin
It has been a meteoric rise for Union Berlin, who first secured top-flight football in 2019 and now will be competing in the Champions League just four years later. For die Eisernen, this will be unchartered territory, but it’s something
Urs Fischer’s side have become accustomed to over the past few years. Impressively, Union Berlin conceded the joint fewest goals en route to securing fourth spot in the Bundesliga, and fortunately, they have held on to many of their key players while bringing others like on-loan Chelsea youngster David Datro Fofana and the experienced Robin Gosens. Certainly, after finishing in the top four, Union Berlin will look to replicate at least that feat this time around - but it may be easier said than done.
Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen may have avoided relegation last season, but it’s safe to
say that after a promising start which included a dramatic victory away to Borussia Dortmund, die Grün-Weißen were absolutely awful in the second half of the season following the break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Fortunately, they could count on Niclas Füllkrug, who scored a solid 16 goals in 30 league appearances to keep them afloat. The German striker, who has become a sort of cult icon, will look to shoulder much of the goalscoring responsibilities once again. However, an early DFB-Pokal exit after losing to third-tier outfit Viktoria Köln certainly wasn;t the most encouraging start to what looks to be a tough season ahead for the club.
NICKNAME:
Die Werderaner (The River Islanders) Die Grün-Weißen (The Green-Whites)
MANAGER:
Ole Werner
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 13th
NICKNAME:
Die Eisernen (The Iron Ones)
MANAGER:
Urs Fischer
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 4th
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg certainly kept their supporters entertained last season - albeit, not always
for the right reasons. Die Wölfe began their campaign with the worst start fans had seen in decades. Niko Kovac was able to help seemingly turn things around, and for a while, it appeared that they just may be able to sneak into a European spot. However, their hard work was all thrown away in the final two games of the season, where Wolfsburg lost back-to-back fixtures against Freiburg, and worryingly, a Hertha Berlin side who had been already relegated. Kovac’s decision
to field mostly younger and inexperienced players in the team’s final home game of the season backfired horribly as they missed out on that Europa Conference League spot, and having lost several key players with no real apt replacements, it could be another struggle this season.
NICKNAME:
Die Wölfe (The Wolves)
Die Weißgrünen (The White and Greens)
MANAGER:
Niko Kovač
LAST YEAR FINISH:
Bundesliga, 8th
Urs Fischer
Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac is under some pressure after a disappointing end
to 2022-23
52 SOCCER360 MAGAZINE
2023-24 BUNDESLIGA SEASON PREVIEW