German champions Werder Bremen have taken up the challenge to retain their title by beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2:0 at the Weser Stadium in front of over 40,000 ecstatic fans. The win puts Werder up into third place and leaves them just four points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. One of Werders youth team hopefuls, Aaron Hunt, put the home side ahead in the 28th minute with his first Bundesliga goal. With the clock ticking down, substitute Mohamed Zidan put paid to any hope the visitors might have had of snatching a point with a well placed strike.

Thomas Schaaf made only one change to the side which beat Wolfsburg 3:2 last Sunday. A late injury to Ivan Klasnic forced him out of the tie and left an opening for Bundesliga debutant Aaron Hunt in the starting eleven.

It took both sides a seemingly long time to come to terms with the hurricane wind which swept around the Weser Stadium. The home side eventually played out their first half chance when an attempted cross from Miroslav Klose, aided by the wind, suddenly became a threat for Kasey Kellers goal before sweeping past the upright (10'). Werder controlled the proceedings in the midfield with Borussia not showing many signs of being a danger but Dick Advocaats side were there to fight and fight they did!

The goal Hunt

Werders superiority brought them within centimeters of taking the lead in the 19th minute. Fabian Ernst profitted from a dire pass from Gladbachs Jeff Strasser. The German international picked out Aaron Hunt box but this time the debutants shot didn't find the target. Ten minutes later the 18 year old was more precise. Petri Pasanen nodded on a Micoud corner and Hunt pounced on the free ball to put Werder 1:0 up from close range (29').

Not much changed after the goal on either side. Werder in control, Gladbach determined but never really worrying the Werder defence. Just short of the half time whistle, the hosts could have extended their lead. Micoud sent both Klose and Hunt sprinting goalwards with a wonderful through pass. The German national team striker was poised to roll the ball over the goalline when Strasser mowed him down from behind. All eyes on the referee were glaring with astonishment when he waved play-on denying Werder a definate penalty and the chance to take a clear lead into the half time break(42').

'Boro' fails to bury Gladbach

Coach Thomas Schaaf was forced to substitute Johan Micoud just after the break through injury and the Frenchman was replaced by Dane Daniel Jensen who was immediately in the thick of things. The substitute tried his luck with a shot from distance and then the Danish international shone again with a wonderful assist, setting up Tim Borowski whose shot was turned away for a corner by Kasey Keller. Not much later 'Boro' was again at the centre of the action. The German international found himself with only the keeper to beat after a scramble in the penalty area but the shock-effect was too much for 'Boro' who blasted his shot wide of the target.

As the game progressed the visitors were forced to abandon their defensive duties on the search for at the very least one point but even then the lide from the Lower Rhein area rarely came within shooting distance of Andi Reinkes goal. One exception was a long distance effort from Markus Hausweiler which was blocked away by the Werder keeper. Most of the "Fohlen" attempts on goal were broken up in midfield by Werder who quickly turned the possession into attacks of their own. One such break, two minutes from time, would bring the decider. Schaaf had replaced debutant Aaron with yet another debutant, Mohamed Zidan. The Egyptian was just eight minutes on the pitch when he claimed his first Bundesliga goal. The striker controlled a pass from Jensen and slotted home to make the final score 2:0 (88'). The guests were unable to threaten the German champions in a rather one sided game which saw the Green-Whites take their place amongst the Champions League hopefuls.

Johnnie Muldoon