A Look at the Fixtures

By: Brian | July 2nd, 2008

If the Greatest Day of the Year is the day the new kits are unveiled, than the Second Greatest Day of the Year must be when the fixtures are released. So much promise and possibility exists before a ball is kicked. Virtually every club can dream of finishing in second place behind Bayern. Optimism abounds.

So what awaits Werder over the nine months that comprise the 08-09 Bundesliga season?

16.08.08 @ Bielefeld
23.08.08 FC Schalke 04
30.08.08 @ Bor. Mönchengladbach
13.09.08 Energie Cottbus

A relatively smooth introduction to 08-09, with three of the first four matches versus teams who either 1) spent the season fighting off relegation 2) were promoted. Away to Bielefeld is always a tricky proposition (last year’s 1-1 draw was brutal), but maximum points should be expected, along with wins at ‘Gladbach and home to Cottbus. Schalke at home this early in this season is a tone setter for the year. A win would go a long way in building the confidence of a team beginning to play without a few familiar faces (Boro, Klasnic). A loss puts us an early three points behind Die Knappen. On a side note, it’s great to have a big, proper club like ‘Gladbach back where they belong, in the Bundesliga.

20.09.08 @ Bayern München

The real test of the first half of the season. Last year’s edition was a gutsy draw with a team of walking wounded and substitutes. Hopefully Matchday 5 will still see most everyone fresh and ready to go. First match for Boro against his old team. First match for Klinsi against his main competition for silverware. Werder-Bayern. Massive.

27.09.08 1899 Hoffenheim

First crack at the Gretna of Deutschland. I love seeing new teams/stadia/supporters in the Bundesliga. The occasional infusion of new blood is always good, even if a little contrived, and I’ll miss Hoffenheim in 09-10. Still miss Aachen too.

04.10.08 @ VfB Stuttgart
18.10.08 Borussia Dortmund
25.10.08 @Hannover 96
29.10.08 Bayer Leverkusen
31.10.08 Hertha BSC

This is the stretch of the schedule that has everyone here at the Werder Offside a little worried. Five consecutive matches versus teams likely to finish in the top half of the table, if not in a European spot. Thankfully three are at home (which flips in the second half of the season), but away to Stuttgart and Werder-Castoffs 96 are tough, tough matches.

08.11.08 @VfL Bochum 1848
15.11.08 1. FC Köln

Six points. Good to have the Goats back too.

22.11.08 @Hamburger SV

The other major first half hurdle. Last year’s version was a bloodbath with nine yellow cards, two red cards, ‘keeper on Croat violence, and one sublime Hugo Almeida goal.

29.11.08 Eintracht Frankfurt
06.12.08 @Karlsruher SC
13.12.08 VfL Wolfsburg

The winter break comes after three tricky contests. Can Frankfurt take the next step and be a permanent top half team? Can Karlsruher deal with the Exodus of all their decent players? Is Wolfsburg for real?

30.01.09 Arminia Bielefeld

Anything less than 8-1 again will be an abject failure.

07.02.09 @FC Schalke 04

Stumbling out of the gate after the winter break restart is an annual Werder tradition. Similar to Matchday 2, this result will have a lot of say in whether or not that continues.

14.02.09 Bor. Mönchengladbach
21.02.09 @Energie Cottbus

Cottbus is one of the harder places to play in the Bundesliga, especially for the Big Boys. If you do manage to come away with three points, they’ll make you work for it.

28.02.09 Bayern München

A big Champions League fixture aside, the Match of the Year.

07.03.09 @1899 Hoffenheim

Werder’s first trip ever to Hoffenheim (well, technically Mannheim, until the new stadium is ready)? Maybe. Regardless, can’t imagine it being on Goltv.

14.03.09 VfB Stuttgart
21.03.09 @Borussia Dortmund
04.04.09 Hannover 96
11.04.09 @Bayer Leverkusen
18.04.09 @Hertha BSC

The flipside of this stretch from earlier in the season and it’s significantly more difficult. This month will have a lot to contribute to the final standings, not just for Werder but for anyone looking to finish between 2nd and 6th.

25.04.09 VfL Bochum 1848
02.05.09 @1. FC Köln

6 more points.

09.05.09 Hamburger SV

Match of the Year 1A. Last season’s edition was something special with the Football Gods smiling on the Green-Whites.

13.05.09 @Eintracht Frankfurt
16.05.09 Karlsruher SC
23.05.09 @VfL Wolfsburg

Fairly simple closure to the season, assuming 1) Diego can deal with the Frankfurt supporters better than last year, 2) KSC aren’t in a relegation battle and 3) Wolfsburg aren’t playing for a spot in Europe.

Just 45 short days…