German champions Werder Bremen got back to winning ways yesterday after two games without a win in Bundesliga. Werder beat Nuremburg 1:2 to earn three vital away points in their challenge to regain a Champions League place next season. Ivan Klasnic was Werders "Man of the Match" bagging a first half brace (22', 45') to put the Green-Whites 0:2 up at the break. The host side made a better fist of things in the second half and managed to claw their way back into the game with a goal from substitute Kießling in the 69th minute but it proved to be too little, too late for the bavarian side.

Werder coach Thomas Schaaf made three changes to the side which drew 0:0 with Mainz last weekend. Davala, Fahrenhorst and Schulz made way for Stalteri, Magnin and Pasanen in the starting eleven.

Both teams started actively with some early end to end action. Bremen showed their first signs of life after just 60 seconds. Klasnic picked out a hole in the opposition defence and sent strike partner Valdez through but the Paraguayans first touch let him down and Nuremburg reserve keeper Langerbein could comfortably smoother the ball. At the other end, Pekka Lagerblom (on loan from Werder in Nuremburg) picked out Marek Mintal in the box who forced a reaction save from Andreas Reinke (5').

The action continued at lightening pace a minute later at the home teams end when Johan Micoud set up a counter attack with a pass from his own half. Fabian Ernst took control on the left and picked out the run of international colleague Tim borowski in the box. "Boro" managed to get a shot in between two opposing defenders only to see his effort crack the outside of the post and away.

Klasnic profits from Stalteri presision

From this point on the visitors began to take charge often playing long over the heads of the midfielders but failing to capitalise on their chances and the hosts appeared to have runout of ideas very early on. This proved a bad time for Nuremburgs defence too begin to shake and keeper Langerbein seemed to suffering from the same symptoms as his back four. It was the keepers disasterous attempted clearance which led to Werder taking the lead. Schaafs men won the ball in the midfield through Micoud who played it wide to his right where Paul Stalteri had pushed up to exploit the room available. The Canadian swung a cross into the Nuremburg penalty area and Ivan Klasnic measured his jump and placed his header well out of the keepers reach. 0:1 for Werder (22').

Having taken the lead Werder refused to sit back and continued to pressurise the home side with Nuremburgs only other first half chance falling again to Mintal which Andi Reinke turned away with his foot (27'). Valdez could and should have put Werder further in front after a pass from Micoud but once again the firey strikers control failed him, over hitting his first touch, and defender Scen Müller cleared just in time. The Green-Whites superiority would pay off on the stroke of half time. Ludovic Magnin won a corner on the left which Micoud took and the Frenchmans cross found the head of captain Frank Baumann - the flick on from Baumann broke free in the six yard box where Klasnic reacted quickest and buried the ball past a helpless Langerbein - 0:2 for Werder (45').

Reinke helpless against Kießling

Nuremburgs half time substitute Kießling got the second half off to a pacy start forcing the best out of Reinke before blasting the rebound over the crossbar. On the other hand, Werder didn't take long to refind their feet and Klasnic almost notched up his hat-trick on the counter, the Croatians drive was flicked over the bar by Langerbein. In the 56th minutes the ever-ready Valdez had his last impact on the game climbing to meet a Magnin corner which he failed to keep on target. Valdez had worked tirelessly and Thomas Schaaf replaced the striker with Miroslav Klose shortly afterwards.

The German champions continued to prove the superior side, even dropping down a gear the flow of the game was in Werder hands. It was as such a shock for the visitors when Nuremburg clawed their way back into the game after a disputed free-kick. Wolf swung in the free-kick and Mintal cracked in a shot which Reinke could only parry. The free ball ran to the unmarked kießling who hammered into an almost empty net despite Ismaels efforts behind the line. 1:2 in the 69th minute. Werder didn't react well to conceeding the goal and lost control over the proceedings for some ten nervous minutes. The home side couldn't use their guests confusion to their advantage and failed to trouble the Werder goal. The Green-Whites did manage to regroup before the end and played out a deserved win on their travels.

Johnnie Muldoon

Werder Bremen: Reinke - Stalteri, Magnin, Ismael, Pasanen - Borowski, Micoud, Baumann, Ernst - Valdez (61' Klose), Klasnic

1. FC Nuremberg Langerbein - Nikl (46' Wolf), Cantaluppi, Bosacki - Langerblom, Larsen - S.Müller, Banovic (46'Kießling), L.Müller - Mintal - Daun (67' Aidoo)

Goals: 0:1 Klasnic (22'), 0:2 Klasnic (45'), Kießling 1:2 (69')

Yellow cards: Stalteri, Micoud (Werder) - Banovic, Lagerblom, Wolf (Nuremburg)

Referee: Michael Weiner (Giesen)

Attendance: 27,525 Frankenstadium

Shots on goal: 18:12

Corners: 10:2

Crosses: 15:3

Possession: 54%:46%

Tackles won: 50%:50%

Fouls: 23:17

Offsides: 1:9 (all from Werder viewpoint)