Not only was last Saturday's match in Frankfurt energy-sapping, it also marked the start of a run of 10 matches in the space of 43 days. Next up, in the first "English week" of the 2019 calendar year, BVB face Werder Bremen in the DFB Cup on Tuesday.

The Black & Yellows secured a narrow but deserved 2-1 victory over the Northerners in the Bundesliga in mid-December, and the strength of the opposition's performance that day made a lasting impression on Lucien Favre. "We made it 2-0 fairly early," said the coach as he recalled the goals scored by Paco Alcácer and Marco Reus in the 19th and 27th minutes respectively. "But it was difficult until the end." Werder reduced the deficit to 2-1 through Max Kruse before the break, and proved to be stubborn opponents. "It was difficult until the end. Bremen have a very good team, are always well-organised and win the ball intelligently. After that they get forward quickly."

The Swiss tactician has noticed that "they play several systems within one match, sometimes 4-3-3, sometimes 4-4-2 with a diamond in midfield. It depends on one single player who drops back and changes position." Defensively too, Kohfeldt's charges are flexible. Favre said: "Sometimes they play with five at the back."

There have only been two days of rest between Frankfurt and Bremen, and there will be eight more games in the coming weeks. "We want and need to rotate," announced the head coach. "Rotation is compulsory. Otherwise it's too much physically, and mentally too." Dan-Axel Zagadou won't be available for the tie. The Frenchman "trained yesterday with the others. It was his first session since 1 December," explained Favre. However, a comeback in the DFB Cup against Bremen has been ruled out. (br)