Positive personnel developments

The Werder players are extremely eager to get going against 1899 Hoffenheim. The anticipation ahead of the clash with one of the newly promoted sides was distinctly noticeable at training on Thursday, as almost the whole team was involved in the session. To add to the positive sporting headlines of the last week, there was also some positive news on Werder’s personnel situation.

“We will have to wait and see how some of the players deal with the added strain of full team training, but I expect everyone to be available for the game against Hoffenheim,” remarked Werder coach Thomas Schaaf. That group of players also included Per Mertesacker, who has recovered from flu and went through an individual session on Thursday: “On Monday, things didn’t look so good but I’m happy to say that I feel a lot better now,” commented the lofty central defender on Thursday afternoon.

Daniel Jensen and Martin Harnik were both back in full team training again on Thursday. The Dane had been suffering from an Achilles tendon strain which kept him out of action whilst the Austrian international Harnik had caught a cold. Torsten Frings got through the complete team session and will be available to play on Saturday.

source: werder.de

Austrailian Milligan on trial with Werder

Werder coach Thomas Schaaf will have a watchful eye on more than just the usual group of players in training this week, as the Green-Whites have a visitor for a trial week. Australian defender Mark Milligan has been mingling with the Werder players since Wednesday. General manager Klaus Allofs explained: “He will definitely be training with us until at least Friday. He is a young, interesting player who we’ve had an eye on for some time and he recently performed well at the Olympic Games. He is a genuine defensive all-rounder.”

23 year old Milligan is considered a rising talent. He has been a member of the extended Australian national team since 2003 and was part of the squad at the World Cup in 2006, although he didn’t play any part. For the last three years he has been on the books at FC Sydney.

source: werder.de

“A real boost”: ‘Merte’ bounces back

Less than ten minutes after Sunday’s training had finished, when Aaron Hunt – who was back amongst his team mates for the session – found himself back in the dressing room. At the same time, Per Mertesacker was pulling into the Weser Stadium parking lot. The central defender had a schedule of post-match wrap-up, regeneration and some physical nurturing to go through. It was a physical balm for ‘Merte’ after his first full week back, which included 90 minutes against Energie Cottbus.

“In the last 20 minutes I really felt the intensiveness of the last few days. They weren’t easy to just shake off,” explained the 24 year old, and he continued: “But it was exactly those 20 minutes that were a real boost for me as I try to return to form.” Mertesacker is well aware that he has a lot to catch up on, having missed out on the pre-season programme: “Physically I am still not fully fit, but that really couldn’t be optimal right now, I’m still working on that.” In spite of playing catch-up, the young defender could certainly be satisfied with his return.

Not quite as far along, but headed in the right direction, is also Aaron Hunt. The young front man was back in team training on Sunday for the first time in almost four weeks. Hunt’s lay-off was forced by a combination of calf and Achilles tendon problems: “It’s all good now. I had a little pain at the beginning, but after five minutes of warming up the pain had passed,” explained the 22 year old. Head coach Thomas Schaaf is “not counting anything out just yet but the Champions League game on Tuesday, 16.09.2008, could be a little too early for him.” Hunt himself is not about to jump the gun either: “It would be nice to be there, but if that isn’t to be then it’s not such a tragedy.” Not available at the moment is Petri Pasanen. The Finnish defender is currently ill.

source: werder.de

Daniel Jensen gives Danes reason to celebrate

It was to be Daniel Jensen’s evening. In the most exciting and closely fought out World Cup qualifier on Wednesday evening, between Portugal and Denmark, the Werder midfielder made it 3-2 for Denmark in the second minute of added time to seal all three points on an unforgettable night.

Markus Rosenberg and his Swedish team mates are level on points with Denmark in the race to secure a starting place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Trainer Lars Lagerbäck’s side, for whom Rosenberg came on in place of Zlatan Ibrahhimovic in the 81st minute, recovered from the disappointment of their campaign opener (0-0 in Albania) to beat Hungary 2-1 on Wednesday evening.

The evening was somewhat less memorable for the Green-White’s Austrian duo. Following their stunning 2-1 win in France on Saturday, Martin Harnik, Sebastian Prödl & Co. were brought crashing back to earth by a 0-2 defeat in Lithuania. Both were involved over the full 90 minutes but neither could do anything to prevent Danilevicius’ winning brace (52’/58’).

Lithuania have now closed in on Serbia, who include Dusko Tosic in their squad. On Wednesday evening the Serbs lost momentum after a 1-2 defeat to France in Paris. Brazil’s 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign continues to stutter. After their poor start in qualifying was followed by a splendid run in the first seven games, their midweek clash with Bolivia ended in a less than inspiring 0-0 draw. Diego was in Brazil’s starting eleven and made way for Elano in the 76th minute.

source: werder.de

Frings back in training

Torsten Frings returned to training for Werder Bremen on Monday wearing a protective mask after breaking his nose last week.

The Germany international was ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland after suffering the injury in a freak accident while playing basketball at a sponsorship event.

However, he intends to be fit to return to the football field next weekend when Bremen host Energie Cottbus in the Bundesliga.

“The mask serves its purpose and there is no restriction – you just have to get used to having something on your face which itches now and again,” said the midfielder.

“I have the whole week to get used to it. I will be able to play on Saturday. I don’t even know if I will actually need this mask.”

Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf welcomed Frings’ optimism, but said the mask would be staying on at the weekend, even if his vice-captain felt he did not need it.

“Wearing the mask is a precautionary measure because the break is not yet fully healed,” he explained.

“The nose still has to be protected a little.”

Meanwhile, Brazilian defender Naldo is also back in training and Peter Niemeyer should be available at the weekend.

Aaron Hunt is unlikely to be fit, though. The Germany Under-21 international returned to Bremen early from international duty due to a calf strain.

source: goal.com

International week: 15 Werder players on the road

There are not many who would wish to swap places with Thomas Schaaf as a trainer right now. With European qualification games for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa about to begin and the competition for finals places in South America and Africa already underway, the Werder coach has seen 15 of his players head off to join up with their respective national teams, a group which also includes the German U21 players who are in the midst of their European Championship qualifiers.

Had Torsten Frings not suffered a broken nose at the weekend, there would have been 16 Werder players on duty with eleven assorted national teams. Without Frings, but with Tim Wiese and Clemens Fritz, the German national team have gathered to prepare for their Group 4 qualifiers on Saturday, 06.09.2008 in Vaduz against Lichtenstein (8:45pm kick-off) and on Wednesday, 10.09.2008 against Finland in Helsinki (kick-off 7:35pm). The Finnish squad includes Werder defender Petri Pasanen. Before the qualifiers begin though, the German national team will be involved in a special farewell game for long time national keeper Oliver Kahn on Tuesday, 02.09.2008 at the Allianz-Arena in Munich (kick-off 8pm).

Both Diego and Boubacar Sanogo have much longer distances to travel. On Sunday, 07.09.2008, Brazil will take on Chile in Santiago de Chile before facing Bolivia in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, 10.09.2008. Sanogo will be on duty at the weekend with the Ivory Coast, who will play Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday, 07.09.2008.

Hugo Almeida has been nominated for the Portuguese squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers on Saturday, 06.09.2008 in Malta and on Wednesday, 10.09.2008 at home in Lisbon where they will face Denmark and Almeida’s club colleague Daniel Jensen. The Danes will be in action on Saturday too, when they travel to Hungary for their campaign opener. Group 1, which includes more Werder players than any other group, will also see striker Markus Rosenberg in action with Sweden on Saturday, 06.09.2008 in Tirana against Albania and on Wednesday, 10.09.2008, at home to Hungary in Solna.

source: werder.de

Frings with suspected broken nose

There was something of an unpleasant surprise in store for Torsten Frings on Sunday afternoon. During an appointment with club sponsor Beluga Shipping GmbH on the island of Spiekeroog, the Werder midfielder apparently suffered a broken nose. The German international picked up the injury during a game of basketball with team-mates as they prepared to take part in a football-tennis tournament.

Frings immediately headed back homewards with Werder general manager Klaus Allofs and is currently on his way to a Bremen clinic for a more exact examination. Due to the injury, Torsten Frings was forced to contact German national team coach Joachim Löw and explain that he was pulling out of the up-coming World Cup qualifiers against Lichtenstein and Finland.

“We’re on our way to the clinic but we expect his nose is broken. We will see how things are to proceed once we’ve gotten a more detailed result,” confirmed Allofs on Sunday evening.

source: werder.de

Schaaf: Mertesacker Won’t Be Rushed

The German international suffered the injury on his first day back training following his break after Euro 2008, and Werder trainer Thomas Schaaf has reported that the operation went well.

But Schaaf remains cautious. He would prefer the towering defender to come back and stay back rather than return a week or two earlier and risk a further spell on the sidelines.

“We’ll increase the pressure slowly. We know he did some exercises in Donaustauf, but it’s important to go forward step by step,” said Schaaf.

“Right now he’s undergoing the normal recovery programme.

“In the next few days, we’ll send him out to do certain exercises.”

source: goal.com

Diego: “It’s time to go for the top spot”

On Tuesday, Diego took part in his first training session with the rest of the Werder Bremen players since returning from the Olympic Games and later went to take some questions from the press.

Diego, you are back. What sort of impressions did you gather at your first Olympic Games?

The Olympics in Beijing was a unique experience. It was wonderful to really feel the Olympic spirit. I always wanted to be a part of it and experience the sort of atmosphere that you would find it very difficult to explain to an outsider. The atmosphere, when thousands of athletes from all over the world get together, is fantastic. The feeling of being there is really overwhelming for everyone involved.”

source: werder.de

Was it a strain for you having to deal with the whole issue of releasing players before the competition started?

No, everything had been cleared with Werder. We discussed our points of view prior to the event and then cleared everything. I am very thankful to Werder that I was allowed to play there. I am thankful to Werder anyway because I have felt right at home since my first day here. I will continue to do my very best for the club.”

Have you been following what’s been going on in the Bundesliga? Werder unfortunately dropped some points.

Yes, I watched both games on the internet. It’s a shame that we threw away the leads we had. From the outside it’s almost worse having to watch it than it is when you’re on the pitch where you can possible influence things. We need to put a run of wins together now.”

A run of wins that can catapult you right back to the top?

Of course!! With the signing of Claudio Pizarro we have now strengthened the squad with one of the best strikers in Germany. I want to win the German championship. I couldn’t possibly go into the season with any other target.”

Diego back safely and back in training

Finally the waiting is over. Diego is back!! At 8:20pm on Monday evening, the midfielder touched down at Bremen Airport. On Tuesday morning the Brazilian international was back in full team training with his Werder colleagues once again.

Head coach Thomas Schaaf commented on Monday: “We’ll now have to get a look at what sort of condition he’s in and then find out just how much strain he can take.” Over a month has passed since the 23 year old left Bremen to go for gold at the Olympic Games. On 22.07.2008 he joined up with the Brazilian Olympic selection at their meeting place in Paris before heading off to Beijing.

Unfortunately Diego’s stay in Bremen will be initially rather a brief one. On Sunday, 07.09.2008, Brazil have their next World Cup qualifier in Chile. “This sort of schedule has just become the norm. In the past it was Bremen, Achim and Osterholz-Scharmbeck, now the plan reads, Beijing, Bremen, Sao Paulo,” noted Schaaf with a wry grin, although the situation is anything but a laughing matter: “Today the players just don’t have the rest that they so much need. Normally the people who arrange those sort of schedules should have to go through the strain of them themselves.”

source: werder.de

Mertesacker On The Mend

The German international suffered the injury on his first day back training following his break after Euro 2008, and Werder trainer Thomas Schaaf has reported that the operation went well.

“Actually, it all went really fast. They did good work again at Donaustauf,.” he told werder.tv.

“The bit of the meniscus that was blocking my knee has been removed. Now my knee has got to get used to the new situation. But I’m putting no pressure on myself. I’ll be back only when I am 100 percent fit.”

“I was back in Bremen last Friday and watched the game. That was good. Sebastian Prödl who’s joined us is great,” ‘Merte’ added enthusiastically. “He performed really well,” says Mertesacker who was part of Germany’s runner-up team at EURO 2008.

When pressed on when he could be expected back, the towering defender said “Who knows?,” before philosophizing: “Perhaps the injury was a good thing. My body needed a break and got one. I’ve had often suffered injuries when there haven’t been a lot of games.”

source: goal.com

Mertesacker back in Bremen after long absence

The question that has been shadowing Per Mertesacker so diligently since the beginning of the season can now finally be answered positively. Following his meniscus operation in July, ‘Merte’ is “feeling quite good now and starting to head back towards playing football,” explained the lofty central defender in an interview with WERDER.TV on Monday morning. “Now it’s all about taking time to build up again”. The German international had to admit that he gets itchy feet every time he sees his team mates out on the pitch kicking ball but it is still unclear as to when he will be able to re-join them. The complete interview is now available at WERDER.TV.

source: werder.de

Pizarro’s almost perfect comeback

The spectators in the Weser Stadium almost raised the roof as the stadium announcers, Arnd Zeigler and Christian Stoll announced the name of the Green-Whites new number 24: “Claudio….Pizarro, Claudio…Pizarro, Claudio…Pizarro!” It was a rowdy reception for the 29 year old as he returned to the Weser in a Werder shirt: “It was a really wonderful feeling to be back here again. The support and the fate of the fans are very important for a player,” acknowledged the returning striker.

Out on the pitch it was almost as if he had never been away. Right from the out-set the Peruvian front man oozed presence, demanded the ball, looked to take on his marker and slotted into the Werder style of play fantastically: “When you take a look at what he did in the opening minutes, it’s almost scary,” said general manager Klaus Allofs after the game with a wink of the eye.

There was praise from all around as the striker made his comeback in Green-White after seven years away: “Today everyone could see just the sort of quality player that Claudio Pizarro is. He is older and more confident now which is good for his game. He really got stuck in and even had a couple of chances of his own. I am very satisfied with his performance,” said Thomas Schaaf. In the end only a goal was missing to really put the icing on the cake – and the chances were there! Pizarro promised afterwards that there is even more potential within him: “When I’m fit I will be able to work even harder and play even better.”

source: werder.de

Pizarro is back – and hopes are high

They certainly weren’t completely new surroundings that greeted Claudio Pizarro on his return to the Weser Stadium on Tuesday but the striker, who is on loan from FC Chelsea, noted immediately at his presentation: “A lot has changed here!” Very true! Seven years have passed since Pizarro departed Bremen to try his luck with the giants of the sport.

Nowadays Werder Bremen is considered one of those top clubs having qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the fifth season in succession and always been a challenger to take the German championship: “That’s just what I want. It’s why I’m here and trying to help,” explained the 29 year old, and he continued: “I think Werder have improved in many aspects and above all, this team is real quality.”

Quality which is expected to increase yet further with the signing of Pizarro: “We will all profit from him being here,” prophesised trainer Thomas Schaaf and added “All of the qualities he possesses will help us to successfully continue in the direction we’re headed.”

The Peruvian possesses a whole pallet of abilities: “Claudio is technically very gifted, strong in the air and cool as a cucumber in front of goal – all aspects which go towards playing successfully. We got to see that when he played both with us and against us. We are delighted to have him back,” explained Schaaf. General manager Klaus Allofs is not worried about the new man have problems settling in: “As a character he fits into the team perfectly, he’ll have no problems integrating.”

source: werder.de

Click here to view Claudio Pizarro profile page with videos and pictures.

Claudio Pizarro arrives in Bremen

On Monday evening at 8:13pm, a Cesna 425 machine boasting the code DIAWF touched down on the runway at Bremen Airport. The plane had left London on its way to the north of Germany just one and a half hours previously. On board were Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs and the eagerly awaited new Green-Whites signing Claudio Pizarro, along with his agent Carlos Delgado. A broadly grinning ‘Piza’ was finally in his new, yet distinctly familiar, city of choice.

WERDER.TV was on hand to capture the first moments of the Peruvian internationals return to Bremen. At the terminal the party stopped to pose briefly for the television cameras and photographers before heading off to the hotel. Tuesday is set to be a long day for the striker, which will begin with his official presentation as a Werder Bremen player.

source: werder.de

Click here to view Claudio Pizarro profile page with videos and pictures.