Despite returning to winning ways last time out, following a run of four consecutive defeats, Bundesliga strugglers Werder Bremen were unable to avoid dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since November.
Although, just one point currently separates them from 15th placed Hamburger SV, and this weekend offers the perfect opportunity for the club to climb back into the safe zone.
Friday evening will see Werder Bremen come up against fellow relegation candidates VfL Wolfsburg. Despite their woes this season, Valérien Ismaël’s Wolfsburg side have turned things around in recent months, having won four of their last seven matches, despite winning just two games between August and December. Although, having claimed just three points from their last four games, they are in real danger of slipping back into their losing ways.
They currently sit two spots above the relegation zone in 14th, but just three points separate them from 16th placed Werder Bremen. Should Bremen win by more than two goals, victory on Friday would be enough for Alexander Nouri’s side to leapfrog Wolfsburg and jump out of the relegation zone.
Of course, Wolfsburg will have the advantage of playing in front of their own fans. However, that has done little good for the club so far this season - they have lost more games at home than they have elsewhere, having suffered six defeats at home and just five on the road, while they have claimed the same amount of victories both home and away. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, have performed better in their away matches, losing just five times, compared to their seven home defeats.
Their trip to the Volkswagen Arena will be far from an easy game, but Werder Bremen proved last time out that they can perform on the road. They produced a brilliant 2-0 win over 12th placed Mainz 05 and will undoubtedly be looking to keep that good run going. Judging by Wolfsburg’s last performance, a 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, there is every chance that Werder Bremen will snatch all three points.
Confident will be low in the Wolfsburg camp - given the quality in the squad, they will all know that they should be performing much better - which makes it a great time for Bremen to pay them a visit.
A victory for Nouri’s side would likely guarantee that they will be at least 15th in the table at the end of the weekend, given that 15th placed Hamburger SV come up against table-toppers Bayern Munich.
Ancelotti’s side slipped up against Hertha Berlin last time out, settling for a draw, but are likely to return to winning ways at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, as they continue their push towards a five straight Bundesliga title.
Of course, there is still plenty of time to make up points, but every point dropped for Werder Bremen between now and May is just another that they need to make up over the next few months. They will be fully aware of that in the dressing room, and this weekend is a great opportunity to ensure that they are the team to chase, rather than the team chasing.