Werder Bremen Team News Page 2 - Soccer

Julian Malatini - Returns on grass Malatini (ankle) was spotted back on the grass working with the ball on Friday during the summer break, marking an encouraging milestone in his recovery from the ligament surgery h...

Impact Malatini had undergone successful surgery to repair the torn ankle ligament and was facing a lengthy recovery timeline, making his return to outdoor work a positive development ahead of pre-season preparations. The defender will continue to build his fitness gradually under the supervision of Bremen's medical staff as he targets a return to full availability for the 2026/27 campaign.

JUNE 13 • ROTOWIRE

Karl Hein - Plays full game Saturday Hein cleared his injury by playing the full game in Saturday's friendly against Faroe Islands and set to be the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Bremen from next season.

Impact Hein joined Arsenal from Nomme United in 2018 and progressed through the academy before loan spells at Reading, Real Valladolid and Werder Bremen, where he made two Bundesliga appearances this season after 32 appearances for Valladolid the previous campaign. The young goalie has earned 45 senior caps for Estonia and heads into the 2026/27 season with the opportunity to establish himself as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, with Bremen backing him as their number one ahead of what promises to be an exciting new chapter in his career.

JUNE 8 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Friedl - Versatile option in back line Friedl has been named in Austria's World Cup squad and is expected to provide depth and versatility in the back line as coach Rangnick manages his defensive options throughout the...

Impact Friedl ended the season having been a reliable presence for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, contributing his characteristic defensive solidity and ability to join the attack from the back in a campaign that has maintained his place in the international picture. The Austrian brings Bundesliga experience, pressing quality and the intelligence to operate within manager Rangnick's demanding positional system that makes him a trusted squad member capable of stepping in without disrupting the structure. Friedl heads into the World Cup ready to contribute whenever called upon, with his quality making him a player the coach will rely on if any of the first-choice defensive options face fitness concerns.

JUNE 5 • ROTOWIRE

Romano Schmid - Creative spark for Austria Schmid has been named in Austria's World Cup squad and is expected to provide the creative attacking threat from the right flank that gives Austria a different dimension.

Impact Schmid ended the season having been one of Werder Bremen's most consistent performers, contributing four goals and eight assists across 34 Bundesliga appearances in 2,993 minutes in a campaign that underlined his importance to the Bremen attack to avoid relegation in the final months of the season. The attacking midfielder brings technical quality, creativity and the energy to press from the front that makes him a perfect fit for coach Rangnick's system, and his ability to contribute goals and assists gives Austria an option capable of being decisive in tight games. Schmid heads into the World Cup as one of Austria's most exciting and dynamic attacking options and a player who could be central to their ability to advance beyond the group stage.

JUNE 5 • ROTOWIRE

Karl Hein - Signs permanently for Bremen Hein will complete a permanent move to Werder Bremen in July 2026 after spending the 2025/26 season on loan with the club, Arsenal announced.

Impact Hein joined Arsenal from Nomme United in 2018 and went on to make his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup against Brighton in November 2022 before spending loan spells at Reading, Real Valladolid and most recently Werder Bremen. The goalkeeper made two Bundesliga appearances during his loan spell in Germany this season after making 32 appearances for Valladolid in all competitions the previous campaign, and will now make his move to the Weser permanent. Hein has earned 45 senior caps for Estonia across his international career.

MAY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Grull - Four crosses in 2-0 defeat Grull recorded one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Grull attempted four crosses as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. He came on as a second-half sub but wasn't able to provide an assist. He hasn't started any of the last five Bremen games, but has taken a shot in his last three appearances as a sub.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Mio Backhaus - Seven saves in 2-0 loss Backhaus had seven saves and allowed two goals in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

Impact Backhaus made seven saves, but was unable to prevent Borussia Dortmund, who scored twice throughout the game. This is the fifth time this season that he has made seven or more saves, conceding two or more on each occasion. He has kept a total of five clean sheets this season.

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

WERDER BREMEN - BORUSSIA DORTMUND | Highlights | Matchday 34 – Bundesliga 2025/26

MAY 17 • YOUTUBE

Anton: Dortmund will be back at it next season Borussia Dortmund closed out their season with a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, and Waldemar Anton is already looking ahead to 2026-27.

MAY 17 • BEINSPORTS.COM

Yukinari Sugawara - Suspension served Sugawara has served his one-match suspension and is no longer suspended.

Impact Sugawara had been sent off in the fifth minute of last Saturday's loss to Hoffenheim, effectively ending his domestic season prematurely. The Japanese international will now shift his focus entirely to the World Cup this summer before returning to Southampton ahead of the 2026/27 season. Sugawara ends the season with six assists, 20 chances created and 73 crosses across 31 Bundesliga appearances while on loan from Southampton.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Brandt's Last Dance! | WERDER BREMEN - BORUSSIA DORTMUND | Highlights | MD 34 – Bundesliga 2025/26

MAY 16 • YOUTUBE

Leonardo Bittencourt - On bench for last game Bittencourt (thigh) is on the bench for Saturday's season finale against Dortmund.

Impact Bittencourt returned to the matchday squad for the season finale after manager Daniel Thioune confirmed he would rejoin the group, with the club making it a priority to give the veteran a dignified send-off in a home game against Dortmund, where he also took his first steps. The midfielder has made just five starts in 16 appearances this season, and after the thigh injury, the club opted to ease him back with a bench role rather than throwing him straight into the starting lineup. The coach made clear it was important that Bittencourt not leave through the back door, and his presence in the squad ensures a fitting farewell.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Isaac Schmidt - Option for season finale Schmidt is an option for Saturday's match against Dortmund after not being included in the injury report, according to manager Daniel Thioune.

Impact Schmidt had to exit the last match early but will miss no further time due to the injury, as the defender has been left off the injury list. This will give the club a bit more depth in the defense, although he could see the start with Yukinari Sugawara suspended. That said, the defender has started in only five of his 18 appearances this campaign.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Leonardo Bittencourt - Possibility for return Bittencourt (thigh) is likely to return in Saturday's match against Dortmund, according to manager Daniel Thioune. "Leo will return to the squad tomorrow. The squad constellation e...

Impact Bittencourt was possibly eyeing an end to his career with Bremen from the sidelines, but should now return for the season finale, as the club wants to give him a good send-off. That said, his exact role is likely to be up in the air, as after an injury, they will be cautious. He hopes his final cap with the team is from the starting XI, although with only five starts in 16 appearances this season, that is unlikely, probable to get time from the bench later in the contest.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Amos Pieper - Imperious defending in win Pieper generated 10 clearances and one interception in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Hoffenheim.

Impact Pieper led the 10-man Werder Bremen defensive effort Saturday with 10 clearances in a 1-0 defeat to Hoffenheim. Across his last five appearances (five starts), the central defender has averaged 5.4 clearances and 1.2 blocks per appearance while playing the full 90 minutes in each match. Pieper has now been named to the starting XI in six successive fixtures, following a seven-week injury absence during which he missed nine matches.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Njinmah - Misfires in defeat Njinmah recorded six shots (one on goal) and one cross (one accurate) in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Hoffenheim. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 88th minute.

Impact Njinmah led the Werder Bremen attack Saturday with six shots but managed just one on target in a 1-0 home defeat to Hoffenheim. The forward's bevy of shots marked a season high for a single appearance. Over his last five appearances (three starts) Njinmah has created two chances and averaged one shot on goal per appearance.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Mio Backhaus - Three saves in defeat Backhaus recorded three saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Hoffenheim.

Impact Backhaus kept 10-man Werder Bremen competitive Saturday with three saves and four clearances in a 1-0 defeat versus Hoffenheim. Over his last five starting appearances, the promising young keeper has produced 20 saves and seven clearances while conceding nine goals. Backhaus is likely to be between the sticks Saturday when Werder Bremen host Borussia Dortmund in their final league fixture.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

ALL HIGHLIGHTS | BUNDESLIGA | MATCHDAY 33

MAY 10 • YOUTUBE

Isaac Schmidt - Forced off against Hoffenheim Schmidt (undisclosed) was forced off in the 80th minute of the clash against Hoffenheim after appearing to feel something in his left leg without any contact from an opponent.

Impact Schmidt had only entered the match in the 12th minute before being forced to exit, sitting on the pitch with his hand on his left leg before attempting to continue and ultimately being replaced by Maximilian Wober. The fact that no contact was involved raises concerns over a potential muscular issue, which could mean a more significant absence depending on the results of further examinations. No details have been provided on the nature or extent of the injury, leaving his availability for upcoming fixtures uncertain.

MAY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Yukinari Sugawara - Sent off Saturday Sugawara was shown a red card in the fifth minute of Saturday's 1-0 loss to Hoffenheim.

Impact Sugawara would start Saturday's match in a bad way, earning a red card just five minutes in that would leave his club a man down most of the contest. Unfortunately, this will end the defender's season, as they only have one match to play left. He has been a starter pretty much all season, so a change will be made, with Felix Agu potentially pushed back into the defense.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Felix Agu - Back available, unlikely to start Agu (muscular) returned to team training this week and is back in contention for the squad, though coach Daniel Thioune has ruled out a starting role given the limited training tim...

Impact Agu had missed three consecutive Bundesliga matches with a muscular issue, making his return to collective sessions a welcome development for Bremen heading into the final fixtures of the season. The left-back figures to ease back in from the bench rather than regaining his starting spot immediately, but his availability gives manager Thioune more defensive options to call upon as the campaign draws to a close. Olivier Deman is expected to keep the role at left-back.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Tension builds in Bundesliga with five teams in relegation danger

Five teams are fighting for Bundesliga survival with two rounds remaining while Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen are level before their high stakes Champions League qualification due...

MAY 7 • Associated Press

Felix Agu - Trains in full, should return Agu (muscular) resumed full team training Wednesday after completing a partial session Tuesday, and is expected to be an option for Saturday's clash against Hoffenheim, according t...

Impact Agu had missed three consecutive Bundesliga matches with a muscular issue, but his progression to a full collective session is the clearest sign yet that he is ready to return. The left-back should push to regain his starting role against Hoffenheim, giving coach Daniel Thioune a welcome defensive option back in the fold for the penultimate fixture of Bremen's Bundesliga season.

MAY 6 • ROTOWIRE

WERDER BREMEN - FC AUGSBURG | Highlights | Matchday 32 – Bundesliga 2025/26

MAY 3 • YOUTUBE

Romano Schmid - Prevents clean sheet Schmid scored a goal while taking two shots (both on goal), crossing six times (three accurate) and creating four chances during Saturday's 3-1 loss to Augsburg.

Impact Schmid found the back of the net in the 64th minute scoring Bremen's lone goal while leading the team in chances created. The attacker has combined for two goal involvements, six shots, 12 chances created and 10 crosses over his last three appearances.

MAY 2 • ROTOWIRE

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Tension builds in Bundesliga with five teams in relegation danger