Werder Bremen will be without midfielder Senne Lynen for their Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig. The 27-year-old missed the final training session on Friday and his participation on Saturday (15:30 CET, Sky) is all but ruled out, the club confirmed.
Coach Daniel Thioune's team sits in 15th place after their opening defeat, with zero points and a goal difference of -3 (1 scored, 4 conceded). Facing an individually stronger Leipzig side, who beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 on matchday one, presents a tough task. The current standings show Werder three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Who will replace the injured Senne Lynen?
Lynen's absence forces Thioune to reshuffle his midfield. The coach stated he now has more options with new signings Youri Regeer, Arthur, and Moussa Ndiaye. "With Moussa Ndiaye, Youri Regeer and Arthur I now have more possibilities. However, there is still a need for improvement for coordination," Thioune told Bild Sport.
Regeer, 23, joined from Ajax Amsterdam, while Arthur, also 23, arrived from Bayer Leverkusen. Both are expected to fill the gap in defensive midfield. Thioune highlighted Arthur's role on the right defensive flank. "Arthur is a clear right-back, we currently have a deficit there. The chance is high that he could be a direct starter."
What could the starting lineup look like?
A discussed lineup for the Leipzig match features Michael Hein in goal. A back four could consist of Arthur, Amos Pieper, Marco Friedl, and Olivier Deman. In midfield, Jens Stage, Nick Woltemade, and one of the new signings are possibilities. Up front, Rafael Borré, Marvin Ducksch, and Romano Schmid are candidates.
Alongside Lynen, Justin Njinmah, Felix Agu, and Mitchell Weiser are also unavailable. Eren Dinkçi, on loan from SC Freiburg, and 19-year-old Paul Erevbenagie are fit. The complete list of available players can be found on the squad page.
What does this match mean for the season's trajectory?
The opening defeat increases the pressure on the team. Gaining points against a top contender like Leipzig would be an important signal. The defense, which has already conceded four goals, needs to become more solid. The upcoming fixtures show the next challenge is an away game at 1. FC Köln on September 12th. Köln currently sits in seventh place.
Thioune's plan to quickly build a cohesive unit is hampered by injury concerns. Integrating the new players must now happen under competitive conditions. The performance against Leipzig will be a first test of the squad's depth. The match will be broadcast live on Sky.
