Page 59 - Soccer360 Issue 107

WERDER BREMEN
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 9th place RECORD: 11-9-14
MOST GOALS: Ducksch (12)
WOLFSBURG
LAST SEASON
FINISH: 12th place RECORD: 10-7-17 MOST GOALS: Wind (11)
‘SINCE
BURSTING
ONTO THE
Led by Ole Werner, who took over in November 2021, Werder Bremen posted a very respectable ninth place in 2023-24. Key to this success was the goalscoring form of Marvin Ducksch, who netted 12 times in 34 appearances for the club. Werner is currently the second youngest manager in the Bundesliga - behind new Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin - and under his guidance, the team have shown signs of improvement. However, will they be able to take another big step and possibly try to contest for a Europa Conference League spot, or will that still be a bridge too far for this season? Skelly Alvero arrives from Lyon to bolster an energetic midfield.
KEY PLAYER
Marco Friedl
Both Wolfsburg and their new manager, Ralph Hasenhüttl, will
be looking for a major reset this season. Wolfsburg finished in
a disappointing 12th spot last term, which means no European football this season, while Hasenhüttl will be aiming to maintain his reputation after a decidedly up-and-down spell with Southampton in the Premier League.
Hasenhüttl did enjoy some success in his last Bundesliga adventure - namely with leading RB Leipzig to a very impressive second-place finish in the team’s debut season - so with sides looking to turn their respective fortunes around, it will be fascinating to see if this new partnership reaps positive rewards.
KEY PLAYER
Jonas Wind
SCENE
IN 2016,
LEIPZIG
HAVE
NEVER
FINISHED
LOWER
THAN
SIXTH IN
THE
GERMAN
TOP
FLIGHT.”
SOCCER360 57
St. Pauli TOP:
St. Pauli coach Alexander Blessin
reacts on the touchline.