Marco Rose on personnel: “There are one or two question marks”

Matchday 33! 

The final time this season at the Red Bull Arena. Before our boys play against Werder Bremen in front of their home crowd on Saturday (3.30pm), our head coach Marco Rose was available to answer questions from the media.

• Personnel, opponents and final home game – this is how Rose looks at #RBLSVW
   

Personnel situation before #RBLSVW

• Xavi received a red card against Hoffenheim (1-1) and is suspended for the home game against Werder Bremen.
   
• Benjamin Sesko and Eljif Elmas are training again after colds.
   
• There are still question marks behind Dani Olmo and David Raum (muscular problems). The final training session should reveal more.
   
• Christopher Lenz will return to full team training on Friday after slight calf problems.
   
• Xaver Schlager underwent successful surgery. He is currently staying at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center (APC) in Austria, where he will start his rehabilitation programme soon.
   

Marco Rose...

...on his home record in 2023/24

• "It's not that easy for me to draw a basic conclusion two matchdays before the end of the season. Because we still have two games that we want to play successfully.
  
  "Overall, we had great home games. However, there were also one or two things where we left the pitch as losers. We don't want that in our stadium in front of our fans, we're not used to something like that.
  
  "Apart from the home or away record, we basically have the feeling that, despite the big upheaval in the summer, more would have been possible for us this season. But we would have had to be more consistent in certain phases.
  
  "Part of this season is that we had a few really, really good phases. Since the game in Munich (a 2-1 defeat) at the end of February, we have now been undefeated for 10 games. Nevertheless, more would have been possible in one or two home games. Also in the Champions League. For example, in the first leg of the last 16 against Real Madrid (a 1-0 loss), where we failed to put ourselves in a better position for the second leg."
   

Marco Rose on...

... Werder Bremen

• "They're a good team with a good footballing philosophy. They have a lot of good players. Marco Friedel as captain, Mitchell Weiser at right back. Felix Agu, who puts a lot of pressure on the left side, has won many penalties this season. As a wing-back he has really good runs and delivers dangerous crosses.
  
  "I like Nick Woltemade a lot. Despite his size, he has exceptional technique and is a clever striker. I still know Romano Schmid from Salzburg. He's a really good guy and player. Marvin Ducksch is in great shape. They have a lot of good footballers in their ranks and have been in good form over the last few weeks.
  
  "We know what's coming. Nevertheless, the task for the team is clear: We want to win the game in front of our fans and deliver a strong performance."
   

Marco Rose...

...on team spirit

• "It's unquestionable. Two weeks ago we achieved our biggest goal by qualifying for the Champions League. The boys are only human. In the weeks when we had to score, the boys delivered. It's only human that some tension might be lifted afterwards. We also know that we didn't play our best game in Hoffenheim.
  
  "Nevertheless, I expect us to improve again in the last two games. We have a great team here with high quality and a strong mentality. We want to conclude the season with a good feeling, the last games are often tricky. Our mission is to conclude this season on a positive note."
   

Marco Rose on...

...RBL's womens' team

• "Of course we follow what’s happening with our women’s team. We meet again and again on the training ground. The boys and I have already been to one or two games. I was very pleased that they played such a strong second half of the season. As a promoted player, you might need half a year to get into the new league. Survival has now been decided ahead of time, which is a great achievement. We're looking forward to the coming season with the girls."