Werder Bremen vs Leverkusen

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Werder Bremen 

• Zetterer (3,060 mins) remains first-choice keeper, stable but not elite. 

• Ducksch (8G, 8A) left → huge attacking hole. 

• Weiser (5G, 8A) out long-term (ACL), another major creative loss. 

• Stage (10G, 5A) had emerged as midfield scorer but is injured (ankle). 

• Schmid (5G, 4A, 2,846 mins) becomes the de-facto central creator. 

Bayer Leverkusen 

• Schick (21G) is now the undisputed attacking spearhead. 

• Grimaldo (2G, 7A) remains their most consistent wide creator. 

• Boniface (8G, 1A in 1,011 mins) strengthens the forward line. 

• Frimpong, Xhaka, Wirtz, Tah all gone → massive loss of leadership, midfield dominance, and creativity. 

• New signings (Tillman, Adli, Mukiele) must step up, but no like-for-like Wirtz replacement. 

2. Departures Impact

Werder Bremen 

• Ducksch + Weiser gone = ~13 goals + 16 assists lost. 

• Anthony Jung and Veljkovic exits weaken defensive depth. 

• Attack looks gutted, with only Schmid and Grüll capable of providing any spark. 

Leverkusen 

• Wirtz departure is devastating — they lose their main creative midfielder (10G, 12A). 

• Xhaka (2G, 7A) and Tah gone → midfield control and defensive stability reduced. 

• Frimpong departure removes right-flank dynamism. 

• Squad transitions toward more direct attacking but less midfield orchestration. 

3. New Player Integration

Werder Bremen 

• Wöber (CB) signed but out injured (knee). 

• Grüll (6G, 1A) could cover some of Ducksch’s lost output. 

• Köhn (LB) adds attacking width. 

• Youth signings (Covic, Musah, Coulibaly) lack proven top-level impact. 

Leverkusen 

• Boniface (8G) looks key to replacing lost firepower. 

• Tillman (12G, 2A) provides goals from midfield but is injured (calf). 

• Mukiele adds defensive balance, but not creativity. 

• Quansah (CB) is promising but unproven at elite level. 

• Still no true Wirtz replacement → creativity burden falls on Grimaldo + Adli. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Werder Bremen 

• Schmid (5G, 4A) and Stage (10G, 5A, injured) are/were main contributors. 

• Ducksch + Weiser exits leave a black hole in attack. 

• Reliance on fringe scorers like Grüll (6G), Burke (5G), and Njinmah (3G, 2A). 

Leverkusen 

• Schick (21G) remains lethal inside the box. 

• Boniface (8G) is an excellent complementary forward. 

• Grimaldo (7A) and Palacios (6A, injured) provide some supply, but… 

• Without Wirtz, chance creation is far less varied. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Werder Bremen 

• Bench contributors: Burke (5G), Njinmah (3G, 2A), Topp (2G, 2A). 

• Lacks match-winners; mostly energy players with sporadic impact. 

• Injuries to Stage, Friedl, Deman, Malatini further restrict depth. 

Leverkusen 

• Adli (2G), Andrich (2G, 1A), and Arthur (RB cover) keep options stable. 

• Boniface can rotate with Schick — luxury depth up front. 

• Tillman (injured) would’ve been an impact sub, absence hurts creativity. 

• Still much deeper than Bremen, but the lack of Wirtz is glaring. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Leverkusen Advantage: Stronger strikers (Schick + Boniface) and wing-back creativity (Grimaldo). 

1. Bremen Challenge: Missing Ducksch, Weiser, and Stage → extremely limited scoring options. 

1. Likely Flow: Leverkusen dominate possession but may struggle to create as fluidly without Wirtz. Bremen will sit deep, hope for counters via Schmid and Grüll. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Werder Bremen: ★★☆☆☆ (Below average) — weakened core, few scoring threats, injuries piling up. 

• Bayer Leverkusen: ★★★★☆ (Strong but diminished) — elite forwards in Schick + Boniface, but loss of Wirtz means less midfield control and unpredictability. 

Projected Result: Leverkusen still win (2–0), but with less creativity and control than in past seasons. If Bremen can frustrate Schick/Boniface, this could stay tighter than expected.