When Werder Bremen hosts 1. FC Köln on Saturday, coach Horst Steffen is likely to field the same starting lineup despite the recent defeat. That means no Victor Boniface, whom Steffen spoke about reluctantly.
The center forward position at Werder Bremen is not exactly one where it is easy to shine this season. Justin Njinmah tried his hand there from the start of the game once, Victor Boniface (average rating 4.25) twice, Marco Grüll (3.75) four times, and most recently Keke Topp (4.75) twice.
Only Romano Schmid, playing as a “false” nine, has been able to impress up front so far. With him, the Green-Whites secured a 2-2 draw in Heidenheim and a 1-0 win against FC St. Pauli, with Schmid collecting ratings of 2.5 and 3.5. However, he was just as unable to score from this position as his colleagues were when they started up front.
Who he nominates as his respective striker also depends on the opponent, coach Horst Steffen clarified in a press conference on Thursday: “We have already played with Romano and Cameron in a kind of 4-3-3 against St. Pauli, which was also successful. There can be different constellations for the number 9.”
Too little enthusiasm and intensity from Boniface? Steffen responds
Currently, the 56-year-old is relying more on a genuine striker like Topp, whom he praised for his decent performance in the recent 2-0 defeat in Leipzig. Topp’s training performances also led to him being allowed to start the game. Although there are a few areas with the 21-year-old “where I think, ‘That could be better,’” said Steffen, he did not want to discuss this publicly. It is very possible that Topp will get another chance in the starting lineup on Saturday in the home game against 1. FC Köln. This would mean a place on the bench for Boniface – once again. Steffen responded to a media report claiming that Werder accuse the Nigerian of lacking enthusiasm and intensity in training: “Who would come up with such a statement?” There are “always plenty of ways to avoid watching training,” he said with a smile, presumably referring to secret sessions: “Accordingly, I don’t know where that comes from and don’t want to say any more about it.”
Mbangula on the bench? “That’s based on experience”
Boniface was last substituted in Leipzig in the 73rd minute after feeling unwell two days earlier. “I always see him being humorous and funny in the dressing room, and then a little disappointed when he doesn’t play from the start,” Steffen said of his prominent striker: “That’s normal behavior for a player who wants to be on the pitch.”
Samuel Mbangula, who joined from Juventus Turin in the summer, finds himself in a similar situation. “These are experiences he has to take with him now—after a very promising start,” said Steffen. After a poor performance against Mainz, the 21-year-old lost his place in the starting lineup and has been used as a substitute ever since. Steffen will only know who will do that on the other side an hour before kickoff. Cologne, coached by Lukas Kwasniok, is a “difficult opponent to prepare for,” said the Werder coach: “Sometimes El Mala plays from the start, sometimes he comes on as a substitute. Sometimes Bülter is there, sometimes Ache is there. It’s impossible to predict what the line-up will be.” At the same time, however, it was announced that Ragnar Ache will miss the game with a concussion.
