Mainz vs Werder Bremen preview - Skripnik poised for Bundesliga bow

Posted Friday, October 31, 2014 by PA

Viktor Skripnik will realise "more than a dream" this Saturday when he makes his Bundesliga debut as Werder Bremen coach against high-flying Mainz.

Skripnik was appointed as successor to Robin Dutt after he was dismissed in the wake of last Friday's defeat to Cologne which left the northern Germany club rooted to the foot of the table.

Although Skripnik has already taken charge for Bremen's midweek DFB-Pokal win over third-division Chemitz, Saturday's clash is the 44-year-old's first major test as he attempts to guide the club to their first league win of the season.

"These have been some really eventful days, I've got to say," Skripnik told the website of his side's hosts Mainz.

"I got a text message on Friday night asking me to be in (director of sport) Thomas Eichin's office on Saturday morning, and things just really moved on from then.

"I didn't have to think, I said yes straight away. I've been at this club for 18 years and give everything for this club and my whole heart belongs to Werder Bremen.

"It's more than a dream for me to be able to coach my club in the Bundesliga."

He added of the match at the Coface Arena. "Of course we want to get the points in Mainz. But it's going to be a very difficult challenge for us.

"Mainz are going to be uncomfortable opponents in a compact stadium. They've had a good season and lost for the first time last weekend and will certainly want to do better in front of their own fans."

Franco Di Santo, who cut his head during the cup win in midweek, should be fit to play for Skripnik, but Eljero Elia is still out and both Clemens Fritz and Zlatko Junuzovic are doubtful.

Mainz, who are sixth in the table despite suffering their first defeat of the campaign to Wolfsburg last time out, will give late fitness tests to Park Joo-ho and Julian Baumgartlinger, but Christoph Moritz is likely to miss out.