Werder Bremen vs VfB Stuttgart preview - Skripnik set for home debut

Viktor Skripnik is looking forward to his home debut as coach of Werder Bremen this Saturday, hoping it will be as successful as his first two games on the bench of the northern Germany club.

Bremen have won both their games since Skripnik replaced Robin Dutt in charge, reaching the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal by beating Chemnitz before picking up a maiden Bundesliga win in Mainz last weekend.

Now, he leads his team out for the first time at the Weser Stadion, admitting it will be an emotional occasion.

"Of course I'm excited about it," he said at a press conference. "For the past 10 years, I've always been sitting in the stands, but this time I enter the stadium from the dressing room."

The last time he took that route was in his final game as a Bremen player, on the last day of the 2003/04 season.

Skripnik played the final 20 minutes of Bremen's 6-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen which was only cosmetic anyway, since it was followed by celebrations having already clinched the Bundesliga title with three games to spare.

There are no trophies on offer this weekend, but still three important points for Bremen and their guests Stuttgart.

"Both we and Bremen need the points," said Stuttgart coach Armin Veh. "I don't see either of us as favourites, it just depends on how we play on the day."

Only two points separate Stuttgart in 15th from bottom-placed Bremen and Veh is trying to think positive.

"If we only think about all of the things we're doing wrong, then we're never going to get anywhere," he said.

"Instead, we should be building on the signs of improvement we've been showing in our attack."

Georg Niedermeier is a doubt for Stuttgart due to severe bruising to his thigh.