Breitenreiter: "Everyone is playing their part in the overall success"

André Breitenreiter on…

…the visitors from Northern Germany: "Werder Bremen are not a typical promoted club; they were relegated with a good team and then promoted with a team that could have competed in the Bundesliga too. For a promoted side, it's always good to begin a season so well. They have a clear structure and clear processes which they go about with discipline; that's what's making them so strong at present. We need a good plan to cancel out their strengths and help our strengths come to the fore."

…Niclas Füllkrug: "I personally know him very well, he played under me at Hannover 96. He had his best season in the Bundesliga to date with me, scoring 14 goals. I'm absolutely delighted for him that he has come back like this after many injuries. He is a player with great qualities in the penalty area. That makes him an interesting player, also with the World Cup in mind."

…the draw against Hertha: "Ambitions are of course important but it's more important to follow them up with actions. We want to go forward and be attack-minded. If the players lead the way, that's of course fine with me as a coach. But for me it's not the end of the world that we haven't won the last two matches. I'm convinced that we're a strong team and that for many teams it's more difficult to play against us than it is for us against them. I was frustrated after the game in Berlin as it was seen as a deserved draw; it certainly wasn't in our eyes. We were the better team, and I told the players that."

…his approach: "We've just come from a very good away game. We want to win the home game on Friday. We're playing on home turf, we're also top of the league here in terms of points; that's no coincidence. We want to continue this strong home form."

…the competition for places: "Everyone is playing a part in the overall success. For example, I found it remarkable that before the match on Sunday Kevin Akpoguma put his arm around Stanley Nsoki, gave him some tips and wished him all the best. We of course have a lot of competition for places, but we're a team. The willingness to put yourself at the team's disposal is very important."

…the improved defensive record of late: "As is the case for many developments, it's a mix of many aspects. On the one hand, Alexander Rosen analysed the squad and drew the correct conclusions. The defensive transfers were absolute hits. At the beginning of pre-season, we worked a lot on our defending across the entire pitch. We're very disciplined in our off-the-ball play – and that starts up top. We're the fourth-best pressing team in the league, and that's only because we had to play so defensively against Gladbach with 10 men. That gives us courage and strengthens our resolve to continue on this path."

…TSG triathlete Laura Philipp: "Christian Neitzert, our prevention and athletics coach, accompanied her to Hawaii. Everyone at the club is supporting Laura. We're all crossing our fingers for her to get a good result at the Ironman."

The personnel situation:

Aside from Ermin Bičakčić, Benjamin Hübner (both in fitness training) and Ihlas Bebou (knee injury), there is a full complement of players.

The opposition's form:

Bremen have taken four points from the last three games, with Ole Werner's team most recently beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 5-1. The promoted side now occupy eighth place in the table.

Head-to-head record:

Werder Bremen have the superior overall record. SV Werder have claimed 10 victories in the 26 Bundesliga meetings, with TSG winning on six occasions. The overall goal difference of 44-43 is almost even. But Hoffenheim have significantly improved their record in recent years, winning five of the last 11 meetings, while Bremen have won only one.

Match facts and statistics »