After nearly five months on the sidelines, Justin Njinmah made his long-awaited return to the Bundesliga, and he did it in style. The 23-year-old Werder Bremen forward, who had been out since Matchday 26 of the 2023/24 season due to hip and ankle issues followed by illness, stepped back onto the pitch against FC Augsburg, eager to make an impact.
Coming off the bench in the second half, Njinmah wasted no time making his presence felt. Just 13 minutes later, he found the back of the net, heading in a well-placed cross from Mitchell Weiser. It was the perfect way to announce his return, reminding everyone of his knack for being a game-changer for Werder Bremen. His goal not only marked his first of the new season but also underscored his role as a reliable substitute who can bring fresh energy to the team.
Njinmah had already earned a reputation for being a super sub last season, scoring three crucial goals off the bench. His ability to change the pace of the game hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by head coach Ole Werner. Werner appreciated the energy and defensive effort Njinmah brought during his 15-20 minutes on the field, acknowledging that the striker made a significant impact beyond just his goal. This was evident not only in the Bundesliga match but also in his previous appearance during the Pokal game in Cottbus.
However, Werner knows that Njinmah is still on the path to full recovery. The coach pointed out that while Njinmah is good at understanding his current physical state, there’s still work to be done before he’s back to his best. The goal and game time against Augsburg are steps in the right direction, and Werner is optimistic that the upcoming week of training will help Njinmah regain his full fitness.
In all, Njinmah’s return is a promising sign for Werder Bremen as they look forward to the rest of the season. With his ability to make an immediate impact, fans have plenty to be excited about as he continues to regain his form.
