No top club or national team: why does nobody want this world-class player?

The Dane is by far Bremen’s best player, and he has been for so long that you have to ask: why hasn’t a club with more money snapped this man up yet? And why does his national team even choose to do without him? In the 3-1 win over Hamburger SV, Stage scored a brace that gave Werder not only a major boost in confidence, but also three hugely important points.

Without a win against their northern rivals, things would have looked very bleak for SVW in the relegation battle. After all, in the final four matches of the season they only face teams from the top half of the table (as of before matchday 31). Three of them are still fighting for a Champions League place.

Werder currently sit five points above the relegation playoff spot and seven clear of a direct relegation place. So this win was desperately needed. So badly needed, in fact, that Stage went into the game without being fully fit after a thigh injury.

He risked his health to help Werder, because without him, almost nothing clicks. With nine goals, the midfielder is the north Germans’ top scorer this season. He had already claimed that in-house title last season as well.