Augsburg vs Werder Bremen preview - Dutt spoilt for choice

Posted Friday, September 19, 2014 by PA

Werder Bremen coach Robin Dutt admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to name the 11 players to send into action each weekend, such is the fierce competition for places in his squad.

So far, his choices appear to have been correct with the northern Germany side heading to Augsburg on Saturday on the back of an unbeaten start to the season.

That does not necessarily mean that the 11 players he sent into last Friday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen will start at the Augsburg Arena, though.

Dutt said: "I'm currently in a situation where on the one hand I have a team which there is very little reason to change, and that is a situation which I like as a coach.

"On the other hand, I've got a few players on the bench who are working so hard during the week and have so much quality that my heart bleeds when I have to leave them out."

One of those is Italian full-back Luca Caldirola. He was an almost ever-present last year, but has found Sebastian Prodl and Assani Lukimya in his way this term.

Caldirola said on his club's website: "It's not easy, but we have such a competition for places in the team and it's all about the best players being on the field.

"Of course I hope to play against Augsburg, but what's most important is that we're successful."

The chances of him starting appear relatively slim, though, with Dutt saying: "There are certainly not going to be five changes on Saturday, but two or three are always possible. I'm definitely not going to rotate my team entirely."

Augsburg coach Markus Weinzierl is also unlikely to make any changes after his side picked up their first win of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend.

He made a few changes for that match with most notably Raul Bobadilla starting and Tobias Werner shining in an attack-minded approach.

Although Werner had his calf bandaged heavily in training this week, he is set to keep his place, but Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker may miss out due to illness.

Halil Altintop is also expected to be fit, despite picking up an arm injury against Frankfurt.