For Werder’s newest acquisition Max Wöber, an eventful week drew to close with the 6-0 friendly win in Verden. His official presentation followed a first team training session before his made his debut for the Green-Whites in their opening pre-season friendly. The 27-year-old defender speaks about his performance, his first week in Bremen and that which made a lasting impression on him in Verden.
Come full time, a total of 5,500 fans in Verden were not to be contained as they rushed onto the field of play to secure autographs from and selfies with their idols. New signing Max Wöber attracted no less attention from Werder fans both big and small. “It was great to see how much all of the kids were really enjoying themselves. The fact the whole region lives and breathes Werder is obvious and I am of course really pleased to have been able to experience that for the first time.”
The 27-year-old Austrian initially had to experience things from the substitutes bench, watching on as his new teammates ensured the side were three-up at half time through goals from Amos Pieper (6’), Leon Opitz (36’) and Isak Hansen-Aarøen (44’).
New Werder head coach Horst Steffen opted to make full sail changes at the break, handing Max Wöber his debut in SVW colours at left-back. “It was a lot of fun. Everyone is fully motivated and wants to show what they have in their locker. The mix we have between experience and young players is cool and that provided a good balance during the game.”
The balance brought to the pitch, along with a clear joy for the game and host of attempts on goal, led to three further strikes for the Green-Whites thanks to Patrice Covic (49’, 57’) and Justin Njinmah (55’). The fixture marked a successful end to a jam-packed and intensive first week for Werder’s new man at the back. “My opening week has been tough, full of tests and running,” reported Wöber. “Therefore, I was all the more pleased to be able to take to the field with the lads. We definitely did not forget to have fun and that made it a positive way to kick off the season.”
The first friendly has not only turned excitement levels up another notch but also shown which direction Werder may be headed under Horst Steffen, setting up in a back four, while pressing from the front and playing an attacking brand of football. Wöber explained the ramifications thereof: “Obviously, everything is still very new right now – we are playing in a new system, and not all is going to work out just yet as a result. We have five tough weeks ahead of us, during which we will aim to take on board the teachings from the coach.”
![[Translate to Englisch:] Jens Stage gegen Verden am Ball](https://werdercdn.azureedge.net/typo3temp/assets/_processed_/0/9/csm_71027e5865407c077c996e35256e7568ef7af2ff-fp-120-70-11-4_195db70089.jpg)
