With head coach Florian Kohfeldt, Werder Bremen have regained their consistency on the manager position which the club has become renowned for. However, in 2019/20 Bremen await a big challenge as their playmaker Max Kruse has left the club and therefore Werder will need to change their approach.
This tactical analysis deals with possible strategies to compensate for the loss of Kruse. Moreover, we will explain the tactical tweaks that Werder coach Florian Kohfeldt already implemented during pre-season.
Same system, new roles?
In general, Florian Kohfeldt established a centrally focused attacking play at Werder Bremen. Usually, Bremen would provide width with high full-backs while the central midfielders would use triangular shapes to provide central passing options. As one could see during pre-season, Bremen will stick to this style of play.
One of Bremens key players in 2019/20 might be Nuri Sahin who will take over more responsibility in midfield. Contrary to last season, Sahin has been with the squad for the whole of pre-season which has allowed Kohfeldt to bank on the playmaking abilities of the Turkish midfielder from the first day on. In a midfield diamond or triangle, Sahin could utilise his passing qualities and provide a central passing option during build-up play.
Although Bremen lost their playmaker, Japanese Yuya Osako might replace Kruse. That would mean that Werder stick to their typical 4-3-3 with a false nine nominally lined up as the centre-forward. In this case, Osako would drop into midfield forming a diamond while the two wide forwards tuck inside and act as a striking duo.
