SV Werder Bremen – Match Report vs FC Heidenheim 07/06/20

This was the second leg of the Bundesliga relegation playoff. The first leg finished 0-0 in Bremen. The second leg was a lot more eventful with a dramatic finish. Bremen went 1-0 up early on through an own goal to get a crucial away goal. It took Heidenheim until the 85th to equalise and put the pressure on last on but a late goal from Bremen killed any hope of a comeback. Heidenheim still got another but it was too late.

Bremen dominated the first half with Heidenheim barely getting out of their own half. They started the second half well but weren’t able to convert. Bremen set up in a 4-3-1-2 with a midfield diamond but it was fairly flexible and often shifted to a back 5, into a 3-4-3 out of possession. The front three rotated a fair bit as well, Osako is listed as the 10 but could have been described as a false 9 and also drifted to be a left inside forward often. Bremen attacked with very little width and their full backs didn’t join the attack much.

Ratings

• A1 – Very good, could play higher
• A2 – Strong potential to play higher
• B1 – Good, strong player at level
• B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
• C – Average for the level, rewatch
• D – Below average in this match

Milot Rashica

Player Profile:

• Nationality: Kosovan
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 28/06/1996
• Current Club: Werder Bremen
• Career: Vushtrria, Vitesse Arnhem, Werder Bremen
• Position: Left Wing
• Secondary position: Second Striker
• Preferred foot: Right

In this match Rashica was deployed as the right striker, but he had the freedom to roam. He dropped into midfield at times but held a very narrow position throughout, not choosing to provide width on the right when there was a lot of space out there. Rashica is very direct in his play, he wants to drive the ball forward and get into shooting positions. He can be quite predictable and was a little one dimensional but he’s good at what he does.

With good acceleration and speed with the ball, he’s able to carry on the counter and run at the defence well. He has sharp changes of direction and is able to cut in suddenly into space and shoot. He had one very good long shot in the first half hit with a lot of power that was dipping perfectly but forced a good save.

He showed good work rate and was at times positioned like a right wing back out of possession when defending in Bremen’s defensive third. He received the ball well between the lines and always wants to carry forward, with good tight control but lost the ball several times and spread play to the left side well a few times. Overall a decent game for him where I feel like he’d be better with more support and on his natural left side.

Rating – A1

Maximillian Eggestein

Player Profile:

• Nationality: German
• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 08/12/1996
• Current Club: Werder Bremen
• Career: Werder Bremen
• Position: Centre Midfield
• Preferred foot: Right

Eggestein started on the right of the midfield three. He was crucial to the attack and a big influence going forwards. He was the link between the midfield and the front three. He travelled into space well and pushed between the lines well to then link with the front three. He looked to pass-and-move and made good forward runs. He put a good chance just wide after a good run into the box while linking with Osako. The German played good passes into the attackers, often to Sargent to try and holdup or to Rashica between the lines. He made some good passes to start counters, including difficult pass on the turn. He did well to find good pockets of space in midfield.

When possession was lost, particularly in high areas, he was a good counter presser and was able to win the ball back quickly. He defended well and presses the right side. He was well positioned to cut out danger and pick up loose balls. He could have been more aggressive in a few challenges which should have been fairly easy to come away with the ball. He had good energy, he stands 5’11 with a decent frame and had a good engine throughout the match, able to contribute at both ends.

Rating – B1

Marco Friedl

Player Profile:

• Nationality: Austrian
• Age: 22
• Date of birth: 16/03/1998
• Current Club: Werder Bremen
• Career: Bayern Munich, Werder Bremen
• Position: Left Back
• Preferred foot: Left

Bremen dominated the ball throughout the game and Heidenheim only had a short period where they attacked the Bremen goal, so Friedl didn’t have much to do. He took nice touches in the buildup, allowing the ball to run across him and taking touches into space. He played mostly simple passes and didn’t test his range much, his only clipped ball into midfield went straight to an opposition player.

In defence he dealt with counters well, able to shield the ball and block off the attacker chasing a long ball. He showed good aggression and used his body well to be physical and stop crossing opportunities and deny space. In 1v1s he was patient but his positioning was a bit off and could have done more to show his man wide. He fired out of the back line well and made several challenges where he could then look to start a counter or carry into space. He also showed good awareness in the box and at 6’2″ did fairly well in the air.

Rating – B1

Josh Sargent

Player Profile:

• Nationality: American
• Age: 20
• Date of birth: 20/02/2000
• Current Club: Werder Bremen
• Career: Werder Bremen
• Position: Striker
• Preferred foot: Right

Sargent had a bit of a disappointing game playing up front. He is 6’1 with an okay build but wasn’t physical enough at all to compete at the level. His holdup play was poor and he went to ground easily, getting thrown around in physical duels and shoulder-to-shoulders. He had a few moments of good technical ability with good touches and trying nice passes in the final third but was let down by his physicality and didn’t show enough movement in the box or ability in the air. Overall quite a poor game where he didn’t have much service but didn’t do much with the service he had so I don’t have much to say.

Rating – D