Tough challenge at the Allianz-Arena

If you were to believe just what critics in Bremen have recently been writing, then Werder have distinct problems in dealing with defensive and particularly passive opponents. Trainer Thomas Schaaf’s men would very much like to prove those critics wrong on the pitch – but they will have to be patient. This Saturday, 20.09.2008 (kick-off 3:30pm), the Green-Whites will be faced with the challenge of Bayern Munich at the Allianz-Arena, where not many will expect to see a passive host!

The ‘Bayern-Express’ really brewed up a head of steam in the last couple of weeks, with a 4-1 win over Hertha BSC Berlin followed by a 3-0 win away to FC Köln: “Bayern are the cream of the crop in the league at the moment,” acknowledged Thomas Schaaf, with a great deal of respect for the up-coming opponents, but the Werder coach went on to note confidently: “That’s the kind of team we should be measuring up to!” Werder general manager Klaus Allofs remarked: “It’ll surely be a heated affair. It’s a real top match. We are not all that far off Bayern.”

At an initial glance, Werder’s away record against FC Bayern leaves little reason for real optimism. Since 1965 Werder have made 42 Bundesliga appearances in Munich but have only managed a meagre six wins. Another more intensive look at the record book shows that three of those wins took place in the last eight years. Unforgettable was the stunning 3-1 win on 08.05.2004, when goals from Ivan Klasnic, Johan Micoud and Ailton at the Olympia Stadium saw Werder Bremen clinch their fourth German league title. From the last ten meetings, Werder won three, drew three and on four occasions Bayern claimed the points. The balance of power has been swaying more favourably for the Green-Whites as time elapses and the 7,000 Werder supporters who are expected to make the trip to Bavaria will be hoping to see their side’s quota continue to improve.

source: werder.de

Pizarro and Borowski clash with former team mates

One is looking forward to meeting up with “Micho, Scheini, Lahm and returning to the Allianz-Arena,” whilst the other is happy about seeing “the old lads” from the Weser. One is keeping his distance until kick-off but the other is looking to make contact: “We’re all familiar with modern communications mediums – e-mail, text messages – those sort of things,” explained Tim Borowski. For both ‘Boro’ and Pizarro it’s quite a special game, as they come face-to-face with their past.

It’s a game in which both new signings, who have each scored a goal for their new clubs in the Bundesliga this season, are determined to play a part: “It’s a top game, as it is every year. There is no need to describe the rivalry between the two clubs,” said Borowski, who has still a great deal of respect for his former club and closely follows the happenings on the Weser: “They’ve come off a bit badly in the last couple of games because they managed to create a lot of chances but looked somewhat unfortunate with their finishing,” commented the former Green-White on his ex-clubs current situation. The midfielder went on: “They’ll really be up for the game, in particular because they’ve made a poor start in the Bundesliga. We’ll be facing something of a wounded beast.”

Werder striker Claudio Pizarro is in absolute agreement with the Bayern man: “We’re not in a good position in the table and need the points. I am not worried that we won’t achieve our targets though. The team possesses a great deal of quality. The game against Bayern Munich is the chance to decisively improve our situation.” Pizarro is determined to make his mark with the Green-Whites against the German champions: “If I was to describe the differences between the two clubs then I would have to acknowledge that Bayern are the bigger international club, who are always at the top. Werder Bremen are striving for that, and are headed in the right direction.”

source: werder.de

Bundesliga Weekend Preview: Round 5

Friday 19th September (all times local)

20:30  Bayer Leverkusen – Hannover

Saturday 20th September

15:30  Bayern Munich – Werder Bremen

15:30  Schalke – Eintracht Frankfurt

15:30  Energie Cottbus – VfL Bochum

15:30  Arminia Bielefeld – 1.FC Köln

15:30  Borussia Mönchengladbach – Hertha Berlin

Sunday 21st September

17:00  VfL Wolfsburg – Hamburg

17:00  VfB Stuttgart – Karlsruhe

17:00  Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund

Bayer Leverkusen – Hannover

Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to get back to winning ways after they gave up a two-goal lead last weekend against Hamburg before finally losing 3-2.  The sending off of key defender Manuel Friedrich was an obvious turning point, but it would have disappointed trainer Bruno Labbadia not to have been able to build upon the 5-2 win over Hoffenheim achieved the week before.

His side have scored 11goals so far this season and as such are the most potent team in the league right now.  Stefan Reinartz and Michael Kadlec could be brought into the defence, while Gonzalo Castro is also fit again. Theofanis Gekas though is a doubt with a thigh injury.  Manuel Friedrich is suspended.

Hannover grabbed their first win of the season in some style last weekend against ‘Gladbach with five goals.  Jan Schlaudraff looked particularly impressive and he will want to get back amongst the goals and prove that he isn’t just a Bayern Munich flop.

The three points would have delighted trainer Dieter Hecking, but he will want to secure at least a point away to Leverkusen to keep up the momentum.  Mario Eggimann is a doubt and Vinicius could play in defence.  The availability of Mikael Forssell is also in question following his injury sustained for Finland.  Mike Hanke has also been suffering from flu.

Bayern Munich – Werder Bremen

The two top favourites for this season’s Bundesliga crown clash at the Allianz Arena in what could prove a very important game come the end of the season.  Both sides were in Champions League action in midweek with quite differing outcomes.  Bayern got off to a winning start in Romania against Steaua Bucharest, while Werder were disappointingly held at home by Cypriots side Anorthosis.

The outcome of this clash of the titans could have a big bearing on the title race although neither side have been firing on full cylinders so far this season.  Bayer have won their last two league matches after consecutive draws, while Werder grabbed their first win last weekend against Cottbus following two draws and a win.

Bayern trainer Jürgen Klinsmann could line up with his alternate 3-5-2 system with the same line up that faced Bucharest on Wednesday.  Willy Sagnol and Hamit Altintop remain out injured but otherwise he has a full squad to choose from.  Franck Ribery may make an appearance too!

For Werder, Thomas Schaaf could opt to bring in Petri Pasanen at full back after he recovered from a bout of flu.  Sebastian Boenisch or Clemens Fritz could give way after poor recent performances.

Schalke – Eintracht Frankfurt

Schalke welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Veltins Arena looking to continue their positive start to the new season.  Eight points from their first four games sees them third in the table level on points with Bayern Munich and it certainly seems that their disappointment at missing out on the Champions League has not unduly affected their league form.

They did however throw away a 3-0 lead last Saturday in the Ruhr-derby with Borussia Dortmund to finish 3-3.  Trainer Fred Rutten saw his side win rather easily in midweek in the Uefa Cup against APOEL, and will be targeting three points this weekend.

Fabian Ernst and Christian Pander are both out suspended following their red cards against Dortmund last weekend.  Kevin Kuranyi is a slight injury worry with a hip problem, and if he doesn’t make it then either Halil Altintop, Vicente Sanchez or Gerald Asamoah will fill in.  Manuel Neuer could make an appearance on the substitute’s bench.

Frankfurt trainer Friedhelm Funkel will not be altogether happy with the start his side have made this season.  They lost their opener to Hertha Berlin before taking successive points from Wolfsburg and Köln.  Their match last Friday however had to be postponed thanks to a Madonna concert leaving the Commerzbank Arena pitch unplayable.

The Adler should have Marco Russ back in their back four meaning Brazilian Chris will return to his role in defensive midfield.  Frankfurt’s injury list still contains the likes of Christoph Preuβ, Zlatan Bajramovic, Umit Korkmaz, and Ioannis Amanatidis.

Energie Cottbus – VfL Bochum

Bottom side Energie Cottbus take on VfL Bochum at the Stadion der Freundschaft with three points an absolute must for Bojan Prasnikar’s side.  Talk before the season was of a struggle against relegation, and the first four games of the season have done nothing to dispel that.

The East German side are the only side in the league not to have scored yet this season and with just one point to their name find themselves in arrears already this season.  Savo Pavicevic is a doubt with stomach problems so Radeljic could feature instead at right back.  Stiven Rivic has also not been able to train for a week because of the same problem so a role as a substitute is the most he can hope for.

Visitors Bochum have had a varied start to the season with a win, a draw and two defeats.  Those losses both came away from home and they failed to score in either so a change is required against Cottbus.

They will be without the suspended Christian Fuchs, who will see Bönig take his place at full back.  Vahid Hashemian could start if Stanislav Sestak is forced to withdraw.

Arminia Bielefeld – 1.FC Köln

Both Bielefeld and Köln will be viewing this fixture as an opportunity to grab a vital three points after struggling to amass points in their early games.

Michael Frontzeck’s side have still yet to win a game win just two draws to their name.  They opened their season with consecutive draws but have now lost their last two games at the hands of Hamburg and Bochum.  They led Hamburg 2-0 at the Schüco Arena before going down 4-2.  Three points at home to newly promoted Köln are very important as they are currently down in the bottom three.

Nico Herzig could be given a chance in defence in place of Markus Bollmann, while Robert Tesche could come into midfield for the injured Torben Marx.

Köln went down to a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich last weekend to take the gloss away a little from their previous debut win over Karlsruhe.  If the Geißböcke are to survive this season then wins against teams like Bielefeld will go a long way to helping their cause.

Köln have Pierre Wome back from suspension so Miso Brecko should move from the left to the right in defence.

Borussia Mönchengladbach – Hertha Berlin

Mönchengladbach welcome capital club Hertha Berlin to the Borussia Park looking for a repeat performance of their last home game when they impressively beat Werder Bremen 3-2.   The ‘Fohlen’ have conceded 11 goals though in their first four games and came crashing down to earth with a bump last weekend when thrashed 5-1 at the hands of Hannover.

A return to form at home then is much in need.  Oliver Neuville could be set to make his first start, whereas Patrick Paauwe is a doubt.

Hertha started well with an opening win over Frankfurt, but since then have drawn with Wolfsburg and Bielefeld and lost to Bayern.  The season’s goal is European qualification so a more consistent run of results is needed.

Ebert is a doubt for Hertha so Piszczek could deputise.  Raffael, who missed the midweek Uefa Cup tie to be at the birth of his child, should return to the side.

VfL Wolfsburg – Hamburg

With four games gone Hamburg are the leaders of the Bundesliga by two points and Martin Jol will want to see another three points racked up against Wolfsburg on Sunday.  His side were in action in midweek at home to Romanian side Unirea Urziceni, but they were below par and held to a 0-0 draw.

The line-up will very much depend on any knocks picked up and whether Jol feels the need to make any changes to freshen up the side.  One option is to start with transfer window signing Mladen Petric.

Wolfsburg were many people’s tip as outsiders for Champions League qualification this season but Felix Magath’s side have not set the league alight so far this season with one win and three draws.  A home win against leaders HSV would be just the tonic.

Defender Jan Simunek is the only Wolfsburg absentee of note through injury.

VfB Stuttgart – Karlsruhe

It’s derby day in Baden Württemberg as Stuttgart host Karlsruhe at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.  Form can often go out of the window in derbies but it is Stuttgart who have started the season the better of the two sides.

The Swabians were in Uefa Cup action on Thursday and overcame Cherno More Varna 2-0 with Mario Gomez bagging a brace.  A win against local rivals KSC would cap a fine week for Armin Veh’s side.

Edmund Becker saw his side win their first game at home to Bochum, but have since lost their last two before seeing their game last Friday against Frankfurt cancelled.  A positive result against VfB is therefore important in order to boost confidence and prevent them from sliding down the table any further.

Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund

Next up for Hoffenheim are last season’s Cup finalists Borussia Dortmund.   Hoffenheim recovered well from their 5-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 3 to hold VfB Stuttgart to a goalless draw last week and the newcomers could be forgiven for feeling hard done by that they didn’t take all three points against the 2007 league champions.

Their fantastic start has faded somewhat, but a win against BVB, who were involved in Europe midweek, would lift the mood in Sinsheim.  Trainer Ralf Rangnick has a headache in attack with all four strikers now fit and fighting for the two starting places.

Dortmund staged the comeback of the season so far last Saturday when they fought back from 3-0 down at home to Schalke to finish all-square.

Two-goal hero Alex Frei could start, particularly as Mohamed Zidan was injured in their Uefa Cup tie with Udinese.   BVB lost that first leg tie 2-0 so will want to get back to winning ways straight away against Hoffenheim.

source: goal.com