Bundesliga Preview: Werder Bremen – Hannover

Werder Bremen entertain local rivals Hannover in their final home game of the season with a lot still riding on the result. Werder are looking to secure second spot, while for Hannover a positive run-in could potentially see them qualify for Europe albeit via the Intertoto Cup.

Attack, Attack, Attack

Attacking football is definitely the philosophy at Werder Bremen under Thomas Schaaf and the home crowd are getting more than used to seeing plenty of goals flying in at both ends.

It is not a negative reflection on centre back Naldo and Per Mertesacker, who have both been playing well this season, but it is rather a reflection on the incredibly open football played by the Green and Whites which has seen them score 68 goals this season, but concede 44.

What is apparent is that this attacking attitude has proved successful with Werder set to finish runners up behind the dominant Bayern Munich, who have scored fewer goals.

Werder will be crowned runners up if the win and Schalke fail to beat Eintracht Frankfurt at the Veltins Arena, so the motivation is there for the home side to go all out for the three points.

Werder’s 1-0 win in the midweek Nord-derby against Hamburg was a huge result and has really put them in the driving seat in the race for second spot.

Thomas Schaaf however is not underestimating the challenge posed by Hannover. “96 will make life difficult for us. It will be a very interesting match.

“Hannover are in good form and even have a shot of making a European qualifying place.”

Hannover Look To Cause Upset

Hannover trainer Dieter Hecking will be reminding his players of the game earlier in the season, when the Reds beat Werder 4-3 at the AWD Arena in what was one of the most entertaining games of the entire Bundesliga campaign.

The mood within the Hannover camp is good after a recent run of form has seen them climb the table and still be in with a chance of qualifying for Europe with two games remaining. They know they can mix it with the big boys as their recent performance away at Schalke proved, when they were the better side in a 1-1 draw.

If Hannover beat Werder and results involving Leverkusen and Wolfsburg go their way, then the final game of the season could offer 96 the prize of European football next season.

That they are in such a position is credit to trainer Dieter Hecking, who has rallied his troops after a rather disappointing start to the second half of the season.

Saturday’s encounter with Werder will also be like a meeting of the old boy’s club with numerous players coming up against their former club. Defender Valerien Ismael returns to where he helped win the league title in 2004, while Christian Schulz will be returning to the Weser Stadion for the first time since his mid-season switch to Hannover.

Frank Fahrenhorst was also an ex-Werder player, while Per Mertesacker will be coming up against his ex-colleagues. Despite the friendships, the game will prove a highly competitive affair with a lot at stake for both teams.

FORM GUIDE

Werder Bremen

Match Result Date Championship
Hamburg – Werder Bremen 0 – 1 07/05/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Werder Bremen – Cottbus 2 – 0 03/05/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Karlsruher SC – Werder Bremen 3 – 3 26/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Hansa Rostock – Werder Bremen 1 – 2 15/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Werder Bremen – Schalke 04 5 – 1 12/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Hertha BSC – Werder Bremen 1 – 2 05/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA

Hannover

Match Result Date Championship
Hannover 96 – Hansa Rostock 3 – 0 06/05/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Schalke 04 – Hannover 96 1 – 1 03/05/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Hannover 96 – Hertha BSC 2 – 2 26/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Borussia – Hannover 96 1 – 3 16/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
Hannover 96 – Eintracht 2 – 1 12/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA
VfL Wolfsburg – Hannover 96 3 – 2 05/04/2008 BUNDESLIGA

Head to head record in Bremen:

28/01/07 Werder Bremen 3 Hannover 0

25/03/06 Werder Bremen 5 Hannover 0

18/09/04 Werder Bremen 3 Hannover 0

18/04/04 Werder Bremen 0 Hannover 0

22/03/03 Werder Bremen 1 Hannover 2

TEAM NEWS

Werder Bremen

Following their sendings off against Hamburg, Frank Baumann and Jurica Vranjes will be unavailable for Werder’s last home game of the season. Keeper Tim Wiese should count himself very lucky that no action was taken for his kung-foo attack on Ivica Olic otherwise he would be sitting out as well.

Torsten Frings on the other hand will return from suspension, but Petri Pasanen is an injury doubt. If the Finn does miss out Patrick Owomoyela will deputise.

Likely starting XI: Wiese, Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Pasanen, Frings, Jensen, Borowski, Diego, Rosenberg, Klasnic

Hannover

Dieter Hecking has a worry over Hanno Balitsch who is suffering from an ankle knock, so two-goal substitute Jan Rosenthal is likely to stand-in. The other major loss is striker Mike Hanke who has a stomach illness, so Hashemian will deputise.

The only other absentees are long-term injury victims Bdaric, Yankov and Tarnat, while Sergio Pinto remains suspended.

Likely starting XI: Enke, Cherundolo, Ismael, Vinicius, Schulz, Lala, Rosenthal, Huszti, Bruggink, Stajner, Hashemian

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Werder Bremen- Ivan Klasnic

It still remains unclear whether Ivan Klasnic’s future lies at the Weser Stadion so it will be interesting what happens at the final whistle. Now apparently back to full fitness and looking to be returning to somewhere near his old self, the Croatian will want to sign off at the end of the season with a few goals before he looks forward to next season. Whether that is at the Weser Stadion remains to be seen.

Hannover-Arnold Bruggink

Hannover’s Dutch midfielder has been in highly impressive form of late and is one of the reasons for the clubs run of good results. His driving forward from midfield will be vital on Saturday against Werder, and if he and Lala can get the better of Frings and Borowski, then Hannover have a chance.

source: goal.com