Niclas Füllkrug is set to start for Werder Bremen in their Bundesliga season opener at SC Freiburg. Head coach Daniel Thioune confirmed the striker's likely inclusion on Friday ahead of Sunday's match (30 August, 15:30), as reported by buten un binnen.
Füllkrug only recently returned to SV Werder after a spell with West Ham United in the English Premier League. The forward's transfer was completed just four days before Werder's DFB-Pokal match against Lüneburger SK Hansa. In that fixture last weekend, which Bremen won 3-0, Füllkrug was already in the starting eleven and scored a penalty to make it 2-0. Thioune stated: "Es wäre keine Überraschung, wenn er zu den Startern gehört." The coach emphasised the importance of the energy the Germany international brings. "Wir brauchen eine unglaubliche Energie, und die hat er mitgebracht. Das ist sehr ansteckend, und das hilft uns sicherlich auch jetzt in Freiburg."
Why is Füllkrug's return so significant?
Niclas Füllkrug is not just any new signing but a genuine legend at the Weserstadion. During his previous stint with the Green-Whites, he not only became a German national team player but also the Bundesliga's top scorer. His return has electrified the fans and given the entire squad a noticeable boost. For a team that finished last season in 15th place, this experience and goal-scoring prowess is invaluable. Werder scored 37 goals last campaign but conceded 60, resulting in a negative goal difference of 23. A reliable finisher like Füllkrug can directly address this issue.
What is Werder's current starting position?
Daniel Thioune's team enters the new season aiming to play more offensively. The previous campaign was a disappointment with only eight wins, eight draws, and 18 losses from 34 matches. With 32 points, the club finished just above the relegation spots. Recent form before the season ended showed clear inconsistencies with three losses, a draw, and a win (LLLDW). The gap to champions Bayern Munich was a substantial 57 points. This distance highlights the amount of work ahead for the team. The first steps in the right direction can be followed by fans on our squad page.
What does the Freiburg match mean?
The direct opponent on the first matchday, SC Freiburg, finished last season in 7th place, making them a significantly stronger contender on paper. An away game in Freiburg to kick off the season is a real test for Thioune's more offensive tactical approach and for Füllkrug's integration. A positive start would send a huge signal for the entire season. All upcoming Bundesliga fixtures can be found on our fixtures overview.
What comes after the season opener?
The energy and goal-scoring instinct of Niclas Füllkrug will be central in the coming weeks to make up for the shortfalls of last season. The team must become more consistent and, above all, more solid in defence. The initial matches will show if the striker's return and the new offensive direction have the desired effect. The current league standing and further statistical details are always up to date on our stats page. The mission for Werder Bremen is clear: to break away from the lower ranks of the table and aim for a solid mid-table position.
