INTERVIEW WITH THE MANAGER
During yesterday's usual pre match press conference Eintracht manager Michael Skibbe offered his views on the situation ahead of the game away to Werder Bremen (Saturday 15.30h CET).
Mr Skibbe, Werder Bremen have lost their last game 0-6 away to VfB Stuttgart - is this an advantage or a disadvantage for Eintracht?
It is not of interest, and not relevant for the game. Bremen will be highly motivated and concentrated, the same as us. I am hoping for at least a point.
Will there be changes to the team?
I don't think so. Sonny Kittel has got a cold and will stay at home, Umit Korkmaz will take his place in the squad.
When will Ioannis Amanatidis be in the starting line up next?
I cannot say that right now. The team performs well and is successful so there is no real need for changes. But with injuries and match bans that can turn around rather quickly and we might be forced to adjust the team.
How many points do you see the team collecting until the winter break?
I hope we will be able to keep up our good performances and that way win points. The games so far have been very close and I expect it to stay that way. So it is very hard to predict the outcome up until the break.
Why is it currently all coming together for the team?
There is a great harmony within the team and a combination of footballing skills and a decent attitude. But also the good individual performances of players such as Jung and Ochs, Gekas, Schwegler and Nikolov do contribute to the overall mix. That's why it works.
How does the current success feel to you personally?
We're happy that our hard work pays off. But we're even more happy that the other Bundesliga teams meet us with respect and as capable competition.
PREVIEW
Possible Line Ups
BREMEN: Wiese – Bargfrede, Mertesacker, Prödl, Wesley – Jensen, Frings – Hunt, Marin – Arnautovic, Hugo Almeida.
EINTRACHT: Nikolov – Jung, Franz, Russ, Tzavellas – Schwegler, Köhler – Ochs, Caio, Altintop – Gekas.
Attendance
A 35,000 crowd is expected at the 'Weserstadion' and around 2,300 Eintracht fans will make the trip up north to support the Eagles.
Colours
Werder will play in their traditional green and white kit, Eintracht in white and black.
Live Info
On www.eintracht.de you will be able to follow the English live text commentary with all updates on shots, goals, fouls, offsides, substitutions and so on. The service will start from kick off onwards - CLICK HERE.
Last Season
Eintracht won both legs last season against Werder Bremen. The away game was the opener of the season: Amanatidis netted twice and Fenin scored the winner to make it 3-2 in the end. The home game was won 1-0 with a Marco Russ goal.
All Time Record
The teams have met 82 times in Bundesliga. Of the 41 games in Bremen the Eagles won 10, losing 25.
Blast From The Past
It was pretty much exactly 29 years ago on the 14th of November in 1981 when Eintracht hosted Werder Bremen in the 1981/82 season. The Northerners managed the lead after seven minutes but then an unstoppable Eintracht started a historic display of attacking football. They scored four goals within 23 minutes including a Ronald Borchers hattrick before half time. Bum Kun Cha, Norbert Nachtweih and Bernd Nickel added to the score line. Even substituting their goalkeeper did not make a difference to Werder - it was 9-2 to Eintracht in the end, the second highest home win in the club's history.
