The Run-In: Schaaf wary of the traps

Werder are looking forward to the next round of Bundesliga games with a great deal of tension, although the constellations could hardly be more favourable for the Green-Whites. FC Bayern Munich will play host to current title holders and momentarily in form VfB Stuttgart whilst Hamburg SV must travel to Schalke and Leverkusen take on the challenge of surprise package VfL Wolfsburg.

“The constellation could deliver a couple of good results for us but first and foremost I am focused on the task that we have to fulfil against KSC. When that job is done, then I will take a look at what went on in the other stadiums. I must admit though, it is an interesting combination of games to view and see exactly how the competitors have gotten on.”

Schaaf has particular understanding for the anticipation of the supporters. “Of course it’s a wonderful situation for the fans, who will map out the possible outcomes beforehand and then watch the results coming in as if they were lottery numbers being drawn – we can live with that though. We will have to be careful that we don’t find ourselves getting tied up.”

Schaaf has plenty of fate in his men andconsiders his team to be on the up-and-up. The trainer gave top marks for the efforts of his players in training over the last ten days and sees the battle for places as being at the root of all the hard work: “As a player in training now, if you look to the left or to the right, there are suddenly two players where there had been no one throughout the season. That forces improved performances and should be incentive enough to show just what you are capable of.”

source: werder.de

Bundesliga Weekend Preview: Round 30

Friday 25th April (all times local)

20:30 Eintracht Frankfurt – Borussia Dortmund

Saturday 26th April

15:30 Hamburg – Schalke

15:30 Karlsruhe – Werder Bremen

15:30 Hannover – Hertha Berlin

15:30 Nürnberg – Arminia Bielefeld

15:30 Energie Cottbus – Hansa Rostock

15:30 Bochum – Duisburg

Sunday 27th April

17:00 Bayern Munich – Stuttgart

17:00 Bayer Leverkusen – Wolfsburg

Eintracht Frankfurt – Borussia Dortmund

The first match of the weekend pits Eintracht Frankfurt against defeated Cup finalists Borussia Dortmund.  Frankfurt go into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats making a win even more important for their morale.

They had won their previous three matches so inconsistency is the buzz word at the Commerzbank Arena.  Sotirios Kyrgiakos is available again following his broken nose, but trainer Friedhelm Funkel may not want to risk him and keep him on the bench.

Dortmund, down in 13th really could do with a positive finish to the season.  The pressure is mounting on trainer Thomas Doll and despite having already qualified for next season’s Uefa Cup, BVB could really do with finishing as far up the table as they can to subdue their fans frustration.

Hamburg – Schalke

One of the big matches of the weekend takes place at the HSH Nordbank Arena as third place Schalke take on fourth place Hamburg as the battle for one of the Champions League spots hots up.

Hamburg this season looked for a long time like they were a sure bet for a top three finish but a slump in form has seen them overtaken by the likes of Werder Bremen and Schalke and the season for HSV is in danger over finishing with a real anti-climax.

They are without a win in their last five matches.  Schalke on the other hand are looking like they have hit a purple patch at just the right time of the season.

Having lost to Barcelona in the Champions League and 5-1 to Werder in the league, Mirko Slomka lost his job.  The first game under caretakers Mike Büskens and Youri Mulder saw the Königsblauen trounce Energie Cottbus 5-0.  Saturday’s game promises to be a fascinating encounter.

Karlsruhe – Werder Bremen

For so long a Uefa Cup spot didn’t look beyond the reaches of newly promoted Karlsruhe, but a dip in form following the winter break has seen them drop down to tenth place.

That however, will be seen as a success by many at the club, as at the start of the season, they probably would have taken Bundesliga survival at the end of the season.  KSC brought to an end a run of six games without a win last week with a 1-0 win over Duisburg.

Werder Bremen need a win in order to retain their grip on second place.  Thomas Schaaf’s side have won their last three and must be gutted that they allowed Bayern to pull so far away from them having finished level on points at the half way stage of the season.

Hannover – Hertha Berlin

Two teams with not a great deal to play for meet at the AWD Arena with Hannover hosting Hertha Berlin.  The home side have had the better season and lie in ninth place, but are already turning their attentions to next season with the recent signing of Jan Schlaudraff from Bayern Munich.

Hertha have struggled this season when missing striker Marko Pantelic, who has scored 11 goals and he could return to action this weekend.  Trainer Lucien could certainly do with the Serbian as Hertha haven’t won in their last seven outings.

Nürnberg – Arminia Bielefeld

The “Great Escape” is on for Nürnberg after they won their re-arranged match against Wolfsburg.  Der Klub are leaving it really late in their bid to avoid the dreaded drop into the second division and three points against Bielefeld are a real must. as the visitors are one of the sides that Nürnberg will want to see sucked into the bottom three.

Bielefeld however look like they are going to keep fighting till the end and have enjoyed two wins in their last three with last week’s 1-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen particularly impressive.

Energie Cottbus – Hansa Rostock

Neither Energie Cottbus nor Hansa Rostock find themselves safe from the drop, so Saturday’s clash at the Stadion der Freundschaft should see the home stadium showing anything but friendship to their visitors.

Energie trainer Bojan Prasnikar will be hoping last weeks 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Schalke was a one-off, particularly as he had seen his side win three of their previous four matches including a 2-0 home win over Bayern Munich.

Frank Pagelsdorf on the other hand will be looking for a change in fortunes for his side having seen them win just once in the last nine league outing.  Five defeats amongst those nine games have seen Hansa sucked further towards the drop zone.

It is another massive game this weekend.

Bochum – Duisburg

A defeat for Duisburg at the rewirpower Stadion on Saturday could hammer the final nail in their coffin and move them ever closer to relegation.

The Zebras are three points from safety with five games remaining, but still have to face Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.  Their toughest and pehaps most important match however could be in two weeks away to Nürnberg.

Bochum finished eighth last season and currently lie 11th, a strong finish will be needed if they are to make up the five point gap to current 8th placed Frankfurt.  20 goals from Theofanis Gekas made the difference last season, but Stanislav Sestak has done his bit this season, chipping in with 11 so far.

Bayern Munich – Stuttgart

Bayern’s first defeat of the season came at the hands of Stuttgart back in November with a 3-1 defeat at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, so Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side will be looking for revenge as well as three more points to take them closer to securing the league title.

The points are also of huge importance to last season’s champions Stuttgart as they look to cap a generally poor season with qualification for next season’s Uefa Cup.  The good news for Stuttgart is that Mario Gomez looks poised for a return to action at the Allianz Arena.

The Swabians currently occupy fifth, but Bayer Leverkusen are just one point behind them and could usurp them come the end of the weekend’s matches.  Things really are hotting up in the race for the European places.

Bayer Leverkusen – Wolfsburg

The final match of the weekend sees Bayer Leverkusen entertain Felix Magath’s Wolfsburg at the Bay-Arena.

As everywhere this weekend, the three points on offer could prove vital to both sides in their quest to secure a Uefa Cup spot next season.  Admittedly Leverkusen look to have the better chance looking at the league table, but Wolfsburg do have an outside chance still.

Much however will depend on whether they can rediscover the form they produced immediately after the winter break, when they were the form side in the whole Bundesliga.  Two consecutive defeats to Bochum and Nürnberg have dented their progress.

source: goal.com

Healthy and motivated: Jensen ready and raring to return

Daniel Jensen, who has been back in full team training for almost a week now, is fired up for his return to the pitch, having been kept out for three weeks with a muscular injury. This weekend could mark his return, when Werder travel to Karlsruhe. Jensen himself is optimistic: “I feel really good, everything is okay and the muscle is doing very well too,” explained the Danish international, who had been one of the most vital elements in the Werder side prior to his injury. Whether or not he will fill the gap left in front of the back four by injured captain Frank Baumann is indifferent to the midfielder: “I am really not bothered about what position I play in, the only thing that matters is that I can get back out on the pitch as soon as possible.”

The one thing that is clear though, is that a replacement for Frank Baumann needs to be found. The 32 year old midfield man confirmed on Wednesday that he will definitely not be ready in time to play this weekend. Baumann is still suffering from the effects of a ligament injury which he picked up against Hansa Rostock: “It’s getting better slowly, but it is getting better.” The battle for starting places has taken on a new dynamic as the season comes to a close. With the exceptions of Frank Baumann, Sebastian Boenisch and Peter Niemeyer, trainer Thomas Schaaf will have his full squad available to him – a situation which has proven something of a rarity this season.”

source: werder.de

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