Bundesliga 2019/20: Freiburg vs Werder Bremen

The away-match against Freiburg seemed somewhat like the last chance for Florian Kohfeldt’s Werder Bremen who are stuck in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga campaign 2019/20. Freiburg, on the other hand, are in a stable midfield position thanks to a great start into the season. One could, therefore, claim that Bremen simply needed the points more than Freiburg did, but the latter side will for sure not be satisfied with the 0-1 result.

In our tactical analysis, we are going to explain why Christian Streich’s Freiburg would have deserved to get more out of this game. Moreover, we take a closer look at Werder Bremen’s build-up and pressing tactics and how they enabled them to gain such important three points.

Lineups and formations

Streich decided to start into the game with a 4-4-2 system instead of his recently utilised 3-4-3 system. Attacker Lucas Höler benefitted from this change of formations and joined the starting eleven to form a striking duo together with former Bayern player Nils Petersen. Moreover, in Janik Haberer Streich lined up another central midfielder while Robin Koch, who lately played in this position, moved back into a centre-back position.

Bundesliga 2019/20: Freiburg vs Werder Bremen - tactical analysis tactics — Starting lineups of Freiburg and Werder Bremen [Credit: Wyscout]

Kohfeldt, on the other hand, undertook two changes compared to the latest defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. He lined up the American striking talent Josh Sargent instead of Davie Selke and midfielder Davy Klaassen, who missed the last game due to his fifth yellow card, as a replacement for Philipp Bargfrede. In terms of the formation, Werder did not change much though, they still lined up in a 4-1-4-1 with Kevin Vogt in front of their back four. However, with Klaassen in midfield, Kohfeldt’s side regularly pushed forward into a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2 with the Dutch next to or behind attacker Sargent to press higher up the pitch.

Werder Bremen’s back three build-up

Whereas Werder Bremen’s build-up play was often nipped by Leverkusen in the bud in their latest match, against Freiburg’s press, Kohfeldt’s build-up strategy worked better.

In order to create numerical superiority in the first build-up line against Freiburg’s attacking duo, Bremen’s pivot Vogt dropped into the backline forming a back three. This both created a 3v2 and also opened up passing lanes for Bremen’s centre-backs to play into the half-spaces where Freiburg’s 4-4-2 shape seemed vulnerable at times.