Bremen benefit from squad stability

The joys of Spring have reached the Green-Whites. As the Bundesliga rolls into its final games, Bremen’s squad is really beginning to blossom. Against Cottbus, Frings, Mertesacker & Co. picked up their fourth win in the last five games – five games without defeat! And the clubs greatest asset on the home straight – a truly balanced group of players.

“You could also write that our squad is really a good one,” glowed general manager Klaus Allofs as he was questioned on the secret of the ‘Super-Sub’ goals. It was the eleventh time this season that trainer Thomas Schaaf introduced a substitute who went on to score.

This time around, the trainer was in a position to completely change his front line after an hour of play. Klasnic and Sanogo made way for the eventual goal-scorers Rosenberg and Almeida: “Many other clubs would be delighted to be as well staffed as we are. We have said all along that we have four or five good, young strikers. Maybe there is not a fully-fledged Luca Toni amongst them, but they are all quality players. There is nothing to say that it won’t be the other two who come off the bench on Wednesday to score,” remarked Allofs.

Trainer Thomas Schaaf was able to enjoy the opportunity to finally see almost the complete quality of his team available and on the pitch: “It hasn’t been the case very often this season that everyone was healthy and that we had the chance to make such substitutions. That was very important for us today and it’s nice to see all the players getting involved as the season closes.” And so may it continue!

source: werder.de

Bremen reap the benefits as Özil finds his feet

The youngest Werder player was also the most notable one against Cottbus! He played clever one-twos, chipped his opponents, looked dangerous in front of goal and got back to win the ball on the edge of his own box. He was applauded appreciatively by the home fans and named ‘Citibank Man of the Match’ by the press representatives in the stadium. By Saturday afternoon it was very clear that Mesut Özil has a point to prove: “I was absolutely delighted when I heard that I would be playing from the start. I really wanted to show the coach that I can help the team further.”

And the youngster took the opportunity to present his ability. After the final whistle, Mesut Özil was the benefactor of plenty of praise, just as he was after the last game: “All I can do is repeat what I said about him after the Karlsruhe match. He made a lot of good moves, he was willing to have a go and he was prepared to get involved with the team,” commented Schaaf on the development of the young midfielder, and the trainer looked confidently to the future saying: “I think Bremen has really just got to know him now. Most are just getting an idea of the sort of talent he possesses.”

General manager Klaus Allofs could only agree with the comments of the team trainer: “Mesut’s development is now really beginning to take-off but it was clear that a player as young as he is, who made the move to a top club, wouldn’t display all of his qualities the very next day. He needs to get used to things first.”

source: werder.de

Bundesliga round-up: Bayern win Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich bounced back from their Uefa Cup disappointment to clinch the Bundesliga title.

Bayern Munich were shocked 4-0 by Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday but they have been completely dominant on the domestic front all season.

They were unable to find their best form away to Wolfsburg but picked up the point they needed with a goalless draw.

Bayern are now ten points ahead of nearest challengers Werder Bremen with just three games of the season remaining.

MSV Duisburg moved off the bottom of the table in the day’s other game with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Manasseh Ishiaku fired Duisburg ahead on 14 minutes, only for Lukas Sinkiewicz to equalise four minutes later.

Ishiaku restored Duisburg’s lead after 36 minutes but Bayer again drew level through Tranquillo Barnetta in the 74th minute.

However, Blagoy Georgiev popped up in stoppage time to boost Duisburg’s hopes of surviving relegation.

source: skysports.com

Werder Bremen vs Energie Cottbus highlights

The 2 goals, Wiese’s magnificent intervention and short interviews with Frings, Tremmel and Klasnic in this video:

Schaaf: Patience Paid Off

Werder Bremen trainer Thomas Schaaf was glad that his side remained patient against Energie Cottbus and was rewarded with a 2-0 win with goals from second half substitutes Markus Rosenberg and Hugo Almeida.

The win sees Werder open up a two point lead over third place Schalke, who were held at home by Hannover.

Werder dominated proceedings but couldn’t find a way through until Schaaf sent on Rosenberg and Almeida for Ivan Klasnic and Boubacar Sanogo.

“We got into the game very well from the very beginning, but had difficulty achieving anything despite our dominance” Schaaf said.

“Therefore I am glad that it all turned out well in the end. Our patience paid off” he added.

Cottbus trainer Bojan Prasnikar was left looking to the future for the points his side need to guarantee Bundesliga survival.

“The win for Werder was fully deserved” admitted Cottbus trainer Bojan Prasnikar. “We made things difficult for ourselves and couldn’t get out of our defence, so it’s not unusual that we didn’t score.

“Unfortunately we didn’t make the most of the two counter attacking chances we had when it was 0-0. Now we have to get the points we need to survive against other opponents”

Bundesliga Round-Up: Werder Clear, HSV Back On Track

Hansa Rostock 1-3 Hamburg

After four games without a goal, Hamburg once again found the goal trail with three against Hansa Rostock to seal an important win. HSV scored with their first two attacks and the home side never really recovered.

The result sees Hamburg consolidate their place in to top five, while Hansa now sit five points from safety in 17th place.

The home side started well, but it was the away side, who scored with their first attack of the game after 18 minutes. A fast attack from HSV saw Paulo Guerrero lay the ball into the path of Ivica Olic, who fought off a challenge from Tobias Rathgeb before firing past keeper Hahnel from 14 meters.

The ‘Rothosen’ then scored with their second effort on goal on 27 minutes with captain Rafael van der Vaart getting his name on the score sheet. Olic was allowed to cross unhindered into the middle where Gledson had lost van der Vaart, who slotted easily past Hahnel.

Hamburg, who hadn’t scored in their previous four games, then grabbed their third goal of the game six minutes into the second half. Olic won the ball off of substitute Lukimiya, before playing a one-two with van der Vaart. On receiving the ball back, he fired an unstoppable shot past Hahnel to all but seal the three points for HSV.

The home side did grab a goal with fifteen minutes left when Joris Mathijsen put through his own net. Lukimiya put in a good cross from the right and Enrico Kern rose to get a header in. His effort was however heading wide before Mathijsen made an unfortunate connection, which took the ball past Rost and into the net.

Arminia Bielefeld 2-0 Bochum

Bielefeld secured a vital win in their fight for Bundesliga survival as they beat Bochum 2-0 at the Schüco-Arena. The win sees them open up a four point gap over Nürnberg, who could only draw with Dortmund last night.

Michael Frontzeck had to wait until the 70th minute to see his side take the lead with Mijatovic heading in a Kamper free kick from close range.

The vital three points were sealed late on in the 90th minute when winger Jonas Kamper took advantage of plenty of room in the Bochum back line to fire in a right footed shot on his birthday to seal the win for the ‘Arminen’.

Schalke 1-1 Hannover

The winning streak of caretakers Mike Büskens and Youri Mulder came to an end as Schalke were held at home by Hannover. The point sees Werder Bremen open up a two point lead over the Königsblauen in the race for second place.

The visitors took the lead after just 8 minutes with in-form midfielder Arnold Bruggink firing home a direct free kick. Mike Hanke attempted to get a touch to the ball which distracted Schalke keeper Neuer. The ball however curled into the far corner of the Königsblauen goal.

The home side endeavoured to press forward and they managed to grab the equaliser five minutes before the interval. Ivan Rakitic passed into the centre where the ball rather luckily fell to Halil Altintop. The Turkish international sprinted past Vinicius before looping the ball over Enke and into the Hannover goal.

Werder Bremen 2-0 Energie Cottbus

Second half substitutes Markus Rosenberg and Hugo Almeida grabbed the all-important goals as Werder beat Energie Cottbus 2-0 at the Weser Stadion.

Werder dominated the first half but were denied on numerous occasions by Cottbus keeper Gerhard Tremmel. However, Thomas Schaaf’s substitutions in the second half paid off as both Rosenberg and Almeida scored to hand Werder an important win.

See full match report

Stuttgart 4-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Stuttgart came racing out of the blocks very quickly to put the game beyond Frankfurt before the team from Hessen had even woken up. Three goals in the opening 18 minutes put the Swabians in the driving seat and has put them in the driving seat with regards Uefa Cup qualification.

The Swabians got off to the perfect start when Yildiray Bastürk fired them in front after just three minutes. Artur Boka crossed from the left, and Sotirios Kyrgiakos looked to clear. The ball however only fell to Bastürk, who volleyed home a superb effort to hand Armin Veh’s side an early lead.

That lead was then doubled three minutes later when Mario Gomez added a second. Boka again was the architect after he got to the bye-line before crossing goalwards. Spycher tried to clear, but once again only found a Stuttgart player. German international Gomez fired home to make it 2-0.

2-0 became 3-0 with just 18 minutes on the clock and it was Bastürk again, who was the goalscorer. Cacau combined well with Gomez on the edge of the box, and the striker laid the ball onto Bastürk, who rounded the keeper before slotting home his second of the game.

Two minutes into the second half and the home side added to their three first half goals. Bastürk played the ball to da Silva, who then brought Cacau into the play. The Brazilian hammered the ball into the right hand corner with the Frankfurt defence motionless.

Frankfurt’s only goal of the game came through Amanatidis on 63 minutes. A fine one-two with Toski beat the VfB defence and the Greek striker fired home a consolation goal for Eintracht.

Hertha Berlin 3-1 Karlsruhe

Hertha Berlin secured a 3-1 home win over Karlsruhe after capitalising on defensive errors from Miller and Hajnal.

The home side scored twice within the space of six minutes in the first half. On 25 minutes, a long ball from Friedrich saw KSC keeper make an almighty howler allowing Gojko Kacar to say “thank you” before slotting easily home.

Six minutes later and it was 2-0 with Marko Pantelic grabbing the goal. A mistake from Tamas Hajnal in midfield set Hertha on the counter attack. Pantelic played the ball to Ebert, who left keeper Miller standing with a super pass to Pantelic, who poked the ball over the line from close range.

Less than ten minutes into the second half and KSC got themselves back into the game with a goal from Kapllani. Iashvili flighted the ball into the middle, where the Albanian was on hand to convert.

The win for Hertha was sealed on 87 minutes with Rudi Skacel firing in the third. Raffael played the ball to Mineiro, who was clearly offside. The game played on and Mineiro played the ball back to Raffael who rounded the keeper before shooting against the post. However, Skacel was on hand to stab the ball home.

source: goal.com