Date: Saturday, January 27, 2025
Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Introduction: This Saturday, Borussia Dortmund faces Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, marking the beginning of a new chapter for BVB following the dismissal of manager Nuri Sahin. With Dortmund currently sitting 10th and Werder Bremen just one point ahead in 9th, both sides are looking for a much-needed win. In this preview, we’ll break down the team news, predictions, and what to expect from this thrilling match at Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund’s Struggles Under Sahin: Nuri Sahin's departure from Dortmund comes after a string of poor performances, leaving the club in 10th place with just 25 points. His last match ended in a 2-0 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, a result that sealed his fate. During his final nine games, Dortmund won just once, with five losses and three draws.
Sahin’s final four matches saw BVB concede 11 goals, including a 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the Champions League, which sealed his departure. Despite creating chances, Dortmund’s defensive frailties have been a significant issue, and new interim manager Mike Tullberg will be hoping to address these problems.
Team News: Borussia Dortmund Tullberg, stepping in as interim manager, will be hoping for a reaction from the players. With almost all injury concerns cleared up, the only absentee is centre-back Niklas Sule. The defensive pair of Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton are expected to start, while Felix Nmecha and Emre Can could form a solid midfield pivot. In attack, Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Julian Brandt will look to make an impact.
Werder Bremen’s Recent Form: Werder Bremen, under manager Ole Werner, have had an inconsistent run of late, going winless in their last three matches, with two losses and one draw. However, they have been a dangerous side in attack, scoring 11 goals in their previous four games. Despite this, their defense has been leaky, conceding 9 goals in the last three matches, which has raised concerns.
Away from home, Bremen has had a mixed record, with two wins and three defeats in their last five outings. They will be without midfielder Felix Agu until early February, while Keke Topp's ankle injury will keep him out of the match. The visitors will rely on the attacking trio of Marvin Ducksch, Romano Schmid, and Marco Grull.
Team News: Werder Bremen Werder Bremen’s lineup will see some changes due to injuries. The back three could include Niklas Stark, Marco Friedl, and Anthony Jung, with Jens Stage and Senne Lynen expected to partner in midfield. Up front, Marvin Ducksch will lead the line, with support from Schmid and Grull.
Key Players to Watch:
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund): The striker will be crucial in leading Dortmund’s attack and should benefit from the new manager bounce.
- Marvin Ducksch (Werder Bremen): Ducksch has been in solid form for Bremen and will be the main attacking threat for the visitors.
Predicted Scoreline: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Werder Bremen Dortmund will be hoping for a fresh start under Mike Tullberg and may benefit from the new manager bounce. While Werder Bremen has shown their attacking prowess recently, Dortmund should edge the match with a 2-1 victory.
Conclusion: With both teams in search of form, this game could go either way. Borussia Dortmund’s defensive issues need to be addressed quickly if they are to rise up the table, while Werder Bremen will look to capitalize on their attacking strength. It promises to be an exciting encounter at Signal Iduna Park.
