Overview
- Steffen described himself as very self-critical and said the 2-3 Nordderby defeat at Hamburger SV still pains him.
- Werder are winless in five league matches and went into the winter break after a 0-0 draw at Augsburg, sitting 10th.
- The coach acknowledged fan dissatisfaction and framed it as a spur to improve performances.
- An early DFB-Pokal exit at Arminia Bielefeld came on a stoppage-time winner by Isaiah Young.
- Victor Boniface, on loan from Leverkusen, has yet to score and is not a regular starter, while goalkeeper Michael Zetterer departed for Eintracht Frankfurt; Bremen resume on January 10 against Hoffenheim.