Germany take on Armenia in Stuttgart this evening looking to overhaul their opponents at the top of the group at the midway stage of qualifying. With only the group winners progressing automatically to the World Cup finals in Qatar next winter, the margin for error is small, particularly after the shock defeat to North Macedonia back in March.
For Werner, a return to Stuttgart brings back fond memories in the city where he made his name in the Bundesliga, joining the academy programme at the age of six before becoming the club’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer.
‘Of course it’s special to sit here in this room now,’ he said at the pre-match press conference in Stuttgart’s stadium. ‘I haven’t been here for a long time.
‘It’s unfortunate that I’m not allowed out due to the coronavirus protocols but our goal from these three games was to get nine points so now we must take the next step against Armenia.’