To be perfectly honest, it was hardly what the fans in Berlin could call compelling football over long periods. Following a pulsating opening, the game began to lose its way and the result was no more than a handful of half chances being created. But, in the end, after a four game run without a win, this mediocre match in the capital was to be one of great importance to the Green-Whites.
To be perfectly honest, it was hardly what the fans in Berlin could call compelling football over long periods. Following a pulsating opening, the game began to lose its way and the result was no more than a handful of half chances being created. But, in the end, after a four game run without a win, this mediocre match in the capital was to be one of great importance to the Green-Whites. Six major points were the focus of much discussion deep below the massive stands at the Olympia Stadium:
Success: “We had been hankering for success”, was the comment from one “very, very happy”, Per Mertesacker. Again and again, Werder coach Thomas Schaaf emphasised that it was just the result that his side had been seeking: “The only way is with these sort of achievements.”
Crisis: “Following the match against Duisburg ‘Crisis’ was no longer a taboo word in Bremen. The performance in Berlin could have been a lot better, and for that reason, the club can’t consider their sporting difficulties to be resolved, but, in spite of that, Thomas Schaaf remained pragmatic: “We are not so short sighted that we crack up when things are not going our way or that we become euphoric when we win a game.”
The team: The goals themselves were the perfect documentation of team-work: Co-production Fritz / Rosenberg – 1:0, co-production Frings / Borowski – 2:1. “We are happy to have players who are capable of solving such situations”, said Per Mertesacker, “the success of the team is more important than individual fortunes.”
The game: “We raised our game”, was the feeling of Tim Borowski. “It’s ill not quite what we expect though”, added Clemens Fritz with a comments that can stand as a genuine conclusion.
Training: The increasing of the pressure in training was a massive theme this week and Tim Borowski firmly believes that the fruits of their efforts were clear to see in Berlin: “I fear it will now continue to be so tough”, joked the midfielder.
Schalke: “This year there will be quite a battle for second place”, noted Petri Pasanen. With that in mind, the Werder players are taking the up-coming home clash with FC Schalke 04 next weekend very seriously: “It’s not a cup final”, assured Klaus Allofs but he added that it was a game which held the potential to “distinctly improve the initial situation.”
