Werder Bremen coach Daniel Thioune has explained Cedric Itten's lack of playing time by pointing to Niclas Füllkrug's outstanding form. The experienced Füllkrug is the team's top scorer, making him currently undroppable. With six goals in six appearances, he is the clear leading scorer this season.
Thioune said Füllkrug is the reason for Itten's rare appearances. The system is fixed right now and the striker cannot be replaced. Itten has only had brief opportunities recently. The Swiss striker is yet to score this season.
Thioune acknowledges the difficult situation for the summer signing but also demands more. In the moments when he gets playing time, he has to show himself, the coach stated. It would have been much better if he had scored a goal or at least had attempts. Itten moved to Bremen with the prospect of regular minutes.
The competition for places comes as Werder have made a solid start to the season. The team is in a mid-table position in the Bundesliga, sitting eighth with nine points from six games. Their recent form, however, shows room for improvement, having taken one win and three draws from the last five matches. Most recently, the team could only manage a 2-2 draw against SC Paderborn 07 on Saturday 17 October, with Füllkrug scoring twice to salvage a point. The next match is an away fixture on Saturday 24 October against FSV Mainz 05, who are currently fifth.
Füllkrug had previously turned around a deficit in a match, such as in the 2-2 draw at Dortmund where he scored in stoppage time. His scoring rate shows his key role. For Itten, this means more waiting for his chance, which Thioune says he must then take more decisively. The squad has scored and conceded twelve goals each this season and sits five points behind the league leaders.
This story first appeared at blick.ch
