Werder reap rewards for determined attacking effort

Werder Bremen deservedly beat Energie Cottbus 2:0 on the 31st match day of the season to claim the advantage in the race to second place, and the direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League that accompanies the runner-up spot in the Bundesliga. The Green-Whites goals were scored by second half substitute strikers Markus Rosenberg (67’) and Hugo Almeida (79’).

Without the services of the injured Diego, but with German international Torsten Frings back in the starting eleven, Thomas Schaaf’s men launched their onslaught on the Cottbus goal straight from the kick-off. The visitors were given no room to settle and in the first twenty minutes could have easily found themselves behind with efforts from Mesut Özil, Naldo and Daniel Jensen being expertly dealt with by Cottbus goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel. The home side took their foot off the pedal midway through the first period, but on the half hour mark, once again Tremmel was called into action to make a stunning save, this time from Boubacar Sanogo, to rescue his side from going into the break a goal down.

Just after the re-start, Werder keeper Tim Wiese was forced to show just what he is capable of, for the first time in the match, as Stanislav Rangelov broke free and the keeper stood strong to deny the visitors the lead. Soon after, the Green-Whites were back in control yet again and eventually, in the 67th minute, the Werder fans got their chance to celebrate. Petri Pasanen put a fine pass through to Frings in the box and the German internationals deliver found substitute Markus Rosenberg, who was perfectly placed to put the ball in the back of the net.

Werder kept the up pressure and in the 79th minute, Hugo Almeida was on hand to slot home from point-blank range and make it 2:0 for the hosts, after some excellent work by Tim Borowski. With Schalke 04 only managing a 1:1 home draw with Hannover 96, the Green-Whites moved two points clear of their closest rivals, in second place.

Werder Bremen – FC Energie Cottbus 2:0 (0:0)

Werder Bremen: Wiese – Fritz (78‘ Owomoyela), Naldo, Mertesacker, Pasanen – Frings, Jensen, Borowski – Özil – Klasnic (56‘ Rosenberg), Sanogo (56‘ Almeida); on the bench: Vander, Baumann, Vranjes, Hunt

FC Energie Cottbus: Tremmel – da Silva, Radeljic, Cvitanovic, Ziebig – Rost, Angelov – Rivic (68’ Rangelov), Skela (87’ Papadopulos), Sörensen – Jelic (34’ Vasiljevic)

Goals: 1:0 (67’) Rosenberg, 2:0 (79‘) Almeida

Referee: Dr. Fleischer (Sigmertshausen)

Attendance: Weser-Stadion: 39.688

Yellow cards: Frings – Ziebig, Angelov, da Silva

source: werder.de

Werder Strengthen Position With Cottbus Win

Werder Bremen ran out deserved winners against Energie Cottbus with second half substitutes Markus Rosenberg and Hugo Almeida grabbing the all-important goals, which have opened up a two point lead over third place Schalke.  The Green and Whites are now in pole-position to finish as runners up to Champions Bayern Munich.

First Half

Werder started the first half on the attack with Mesut Özil firing in a shot from 25 meters.  His effort was deflected, but Tremmel in the Cottbus goal was able to save.  Naldo then thumped a free kick narrowly past the right hand post to make it two good efforts within the first three minutes.

The first five minutes saw Cottbus coming under tremendous pressure from the home side.  Jensen fed Özil with a superb through pass on five minutes but once again keeper Tremmel was on hand to parry.

The first Cottbus attack of note came after ten minutes when they countered through Sörensen, but the Dane’s shot was blocked.

Tremmel in the Cottbus goal was certainly being kept busy, and an exquisite pass from Fritz to Jensen on 13 minutes led to another Werder opportunity, but the Danish midfielder saw his first time effort well saved by the Energie keeper.

Cottbus were then very lucky not to concede an own goal after Vragel da Silva almost deflected a Werder free kick into his own net, but he was thankful to Tremmel for once again saving the day.

With 25 minutes gone the Werder pressure seemed to abate and Cottbus managed to get themselves more into the game particularly in the midfield.

On 35 minutes, Cottbus striker Branko Jelic was forced off with a nasty head wound, and he was replaced by Vailjevic meaning that Sörensen had to act as a lone striker.

Just before the break Gerhard Tremmel was once again the saviour for Cottbus.  Tim Borowski played a tremendous pass to Boubacar Sanogo, who shot from close range, but Tremmel was on and to save with a reflex save with his foot.

Second Half

After a fine first half, Werder very nearly allowed Cottbus in early in the second period.  Angelov sprinted almost half the length of the field before being denied by Tim Wiese, who cleared his effort for a corner.

Werder trainer Thomas Schaaf then made a double change up front with Rosenberg and Almeida coming on for Klasnic and Sanogo.  That move then paid instant dividends after 67 minutes.

Petri Pasanen sent Frings into the penalty area with a superb pass.  The German international midfielder turned on the ball and crossed inside to Rosenberg, who beat Ziebig before firing an unstoppable shot into the left hand corner.

Five minutes later and Swedish striker Rosenberg was again on the attack, but after beating his marker on the edge of the area, he was denied by keeper Tremmel after turning and firing in a dangerous shot.

Werder’s other substitute then repaid the faith put in him by trainer Thomas Schaaf by scoring the home side’s second goal 11 minutes from time.  Tim Borowski played a one-two with Rosenberg which by-passed the Cottbus defence with ease.

Borowski then fed Almeida, who was wide open at the far post and the Portuguese striker had the easiest of chances to make it 2-0.

Goals:

1-0  Rosenberg (67)

2-0  Almeida (79)

Werder Bremen: Wiese, Fritz (Owomoyela 78), Naldo, Mertesacker, Pasanen, Frings, Jensen, Borowski, Özil, Klasnic (Rosenberg 56), Sanogo (Almeida 56)

Energie Cottbus: Tremmel, da Silva, Radeljic, Cvitanovic, Ziebig, Rost, Angelov, Rivic (Rangelov 68), Skela (Papadopulos 84), Sörensen, Jelic (Vasiljevic 35)

source: goal.com