Niclas Füllkrug returns to the starting lineup for Werder Bremen. Coach Daniel Thioune confirmed the striker's comeback for the Bundesliga home game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday (3:30 PM).
"Niclas will be on the pitch from the start again," said Thioune. The 31-year-old had only been substituted on in the second half of the cup match against the same opponent, promptly scoring twice. Werder still lost that game in Dortmund 2-3 after a late goal from Marcel Sabitzer. This was their last competitive match, a 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday 27 October.
Füllkrug is by far the team's best scorer this season with eight goals in seven appearances. His presence from the kick-off is meant to give more firepower to a side currently sitting seventh in the standings with twelve points. This season, the team has scored 15 goals but also conceded 14. Against Hoffenheim, a frustrating streak stretches back over twelve years. The last Bundesliga home win against the Kraichgau club dates from 2014, with only draws and defeats for Bremen since then.
Thioune expressed confidence that his team has processed the cup exit. "I think the team is stable," the coach stated. Also, attacker Justin Njinmah is available again after injury and can play for around half an hour. The team aims to use the positive atmosphere in a sold-out Weserstadion, including the reopened Block 53.
TSG Hoffenheim arrive after their own cup upset against Holstein Kiel and are a challenging opponent as a participant in European competition. For Werder, the match is an important test during a patchy run of form. The last five competitive matches yielded one win, two draws, and two defeats. This form is reflected in the overall record of three wins, three draws, and one loss from seven games. The next matchday is already listed in the fixtures overview. The teams' last league meeting ended in a 2-0 home defeat for Bremen on January 27th of this year.
