„It’s about time we showed what we are capable of“, exclaimed Werder’s goal getter Miroslav Klose prior to the Green-Whites Bundesliga clash with VfB Stuttgart, with a view to the last three games in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Cup which all ended in defeat. The World Cup ‘Golden Boot’ winner is aware though that the tie against the Swabians will be no easy task. The recent history of games between the two at the Weser Stadium has seen Werder fail to take all four points on the last four meetings.

Torsten Frings intends to put an end to this negative run: “Against Chelsea we made a distinct improvement compared to the three games previous to that. We are going to have to prove that now if we are to stay with the leading pack”, said the German international. Considering a defeat could see Werder lose touch with the top three, Miroslav Klose sees the tie as a key game in the still young season. This particular opinion could just as well have come from the Swabians. With only three points from three games they lie in 15th place in the table and far adrift of their own expectations. Both home games until now have finished in bitter defeats against FC Nuremburg (0:3) and Borussia Dortmund (2:3). Their three points were picked up in an away match at Armenia Bielefeld (3:1) which is again proof of their strength away and weaknesses in front of their own fans.

Last season VfB notched up almost as many points on their travels (21) as they did at home (22), leaving them in sixth place in the away table but only 13th in the home stakes. Werder coach Thomas Schaaf knows all about Stuttgart’s abilities away from home: “We are aware of their strengths away from home. It will be important to keep them on their toes from the outset. We’ve got to stay on the move, attack and not allow our opponents to find their way into the game”, commented the 46 year old. Schaaf is also wary of VfB’s new signings Pavel Pardo, Roberto Hilbert, Ricardo Osorio, Serdar Tasci and Antonio da Silva. Schaaf: “We can’t allow them to spring any surprises on us.” Not a new signing but in top form at the moment is also Brazilian Cacau. The Werder coach has taken note.

One major weakness for the Stuttgart camp on Saturday will be the possible unavailability of captain Fernando Meira. The Portugese international picked up a calf injury which could keep him out for a number of weeks. Coach Armin Veh will also be without the services of reserve keeper Dirk Heinen (recovering after achilles tear), Andreas Beck (ankle problem) and José-Alex Ikeng (cruciate ligament tear). The Green-Whites may also have some exemptions for the tie with Ivan Klasnic suffering from an ankle sprain after the Chelsea match and Per Mertesacker still not fully fit after his heel operation.

Johnnie Muldoon