Battling Bremen braced for Bayern onslaught
The arrival of Bayern Munich at Werder Bremens Weserstadion represents the worst possible timing for the faltering home side, now entangled in a desperate German Bundesliga fight to avoid relegation.
After 21 matches, Bremen occupy 16th position, the playoff spot for relegation, level with Mainz in 15th but behind on goal difference.
This represents a dismal situation for the club with four German titles, the only team besides Bayern to have competed in 61 seasons of the top division during the Bundesliga period.
Known for its Beck's beer and charming old town square, Bremen may not rank among Germanys biggest or richest urban centres yet the beloved Werder enjoy support that reaches across the country.
As double winners who reached the 2004 and 2009 Europa League finals, Bremens downturn mirrors that of other major German outfits such as Hamburg, Schalke, and Hertha Berlin, organisations resistant to adaptation that have drifted into self inflicted turmoil.
Prior to the campaign, Bremen dismissed manager Ole Werner, who had guided them into the elite division and secured their place there, following a disagreement over his contract.
Certain individuals at the club faulted Werner for not utilising the locally nurtured forward Nick Woltemade, who departed without fee to join Stuttgart and later secured a substantial transfer to Newcastle United.
Bremen gambled on a year long loan deal for striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen, but the move failed to deliver as the injury susceptible Nigerian faces the remainder of the season sidelined.
Werners successor, Horst Steffen, departed in February, leaving Daniel Thioune to steer the team clear of descent.
Thioune aimed to uplift his squad following defeat in his debut match against Freiburg on Saturday.
The final thing I wish to witness is players hanging their heads low, Thioune remarked.
Individuals gazing downward miss the opportunities ahead.
I have urged the squad to have faith in our direction and confidence in my leadership.
Thioune vowed that his team would labour persistently to alter their predicament, setting their sights on the table toppers next.
In the world of football, challenges bring out the best.
One to watch: Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen)
Among the dozen newcomers to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, midfielder Ibrahim Maza stands out as he rapidly becomes a key creator in the centre of the park.
Providing assists in consecutive Champions League fixtures versus Manchester City and Newcastle, Maza has demonstrated his prowess under intense scrutiny.
Maza looks up to Mesut Ozil, victor of the 2014 World Cup with Germany, noting I was quite young at the time but Ozil impressed me greatly.
In an interview with the Bundesliga site on Thursday, Maza explained he maintains enjoyment amid the demands of elite competition.
Constantly enjoying the game, displaying courage, adding a touch of audacity, Maza described his style.
Occasionally incorporating flair, savouring the moment, and injecting some playfulness onto the field.
Key stats
8 in 24 Eight of Harry Kanes 24 goals this Bundesliga season stem from penalties. The leading non Bayern scorer is his colleague Luis Diaz with 13.
6 and 4 in 5 Bayern star Harry Kane debuted in the Bundesliga at Bremen and has recorded six goals alongside four assists in five encounters against them.
16 Michael Olise leads the league with 16 assists this term. On Thursday he earned Bundesliga player of the month for January, his second such honour this season.
Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v Mainz (1930)
Saturday
Hamburg v Union Berlin, Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Moenchengladbach, Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim v Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen v St Pauli, Stuttgart v Cologne (1730)
Sunday
Augsburg v Heidenheim, RB Leipzig v Wolfsburg (1630)