The dream of a UEFA Cup final for Werder Bremen is over. The 1992 European cup winners lost their UEFA Cup semi final second leg tie against Espanyol Barcelona. Following their 3:0 defeat on Thursday last week in Barcelona, Werder were beaten 1:2 in the return leg in front of 37,000 spectators at the Weser Stadium. Thomas Schaaf’s side got off to a flying start on the night with a goal by Hugo Almeida after just four minutes. But as if Werder’s situation wasn’t difficult enough, a red card for Miroslav Klose after 20 minutes doubled the might of the task ahead. Goals by Coro (50’) and Lacruz (61’) put a definite end to any hopes of a new ‘Wonder on the Weser’.

Considering the clear defeat last week in Spain, Thomas Schaaf opted for the distinctly more attacking option than the one he used in Bielefeld at the weekend. In place of Frank Baumann and Jurica Vranjes the coach started with Daniel Jensen on the right and Aaron Hunt on the left leaving Torsten Frings to slot back in, in front of the defence. With Clemens Fritz suspended, Patrick Owomoyela moved out to the right side of the back four and Christian Schulz returned to the left. Contrary to the Spanish side’s team which lost to Sevilla at the weekend, Gorka Iriazoz was back between the posts instead of Idriss Kameni. The starting eleven saw Lacruz, Jarque, David Garcia, Luis Garcia and Tamudo line out in place of Velasco, Serran, Rufete, Eduardo Costa and Jonatas.

Werder make an aggressive start – too aggressive!!

Werder made exactly the aggressive and active start to the game that their coach had planned. The French referee Bertrand Layec didn’t read the signs too well and very early on booked Miroslav Klose for the use of an elbow in an aerial challenge which was, in fact, an absolutely harmless act. A rash decision by the referee which would have a massive effect on the remainder of the tie. Frustration throughout the Weser Stadium was quickly turned to joy as Werder received the just rewards for their efforts. With the first real chance of the game, Hugo Almeida stuck after four minutes to give the Green-Whites the lead and notch up his fourth goal in the tournament. Diego had won the ball determinedly in the midfield where then a deflected attempted clearance fell practically for Almeida who lobbed the on-rushing Iriazoz from 20 meters out to put Werder exactly where the wanted to be.

It was the perfect beginning and there was still 86 minutes of this vital game to play in which Werder needed to score at least two more goals. Werder remained determined but their guests appeared unperturbed by the situation. The Spanish side had decided early on that playing for time would be best option and with just a quarter hour played, the first Espanyol player received a warning for time wasting. Then Miroslav Klose took the leading roll. The striker was first set through by Pasanen but his shot in the box was blocked (11’) and in the 18th minute the German internationals drive across the face of the goal was cut out by Iriazoz(18’). The end of Klose’s night came then in the 20th minute when the striker went down all too easily under a challenge out on the edge of the box and the referee, seeing the action as a dive, awarded Klose his second yellow and sent him for a very early shower. To add to Werder’s woes, the referee refrained from committing to his hard line and failed to caution the Spaniards for a number of challenges which were worth at least a booking.

Werder possession brings no joy

Werder’s anger at the reduction to ten men was met by an ever more irritating reaction from Espanyol, who stuck to their guns with defensive and time wasting tactics. The Catalan side made almost no attempt at pressing forward. The Green-Whites had a stunning three-quarters of the possession but were lacking an option up front and, in particular from set pieces, Klose was a great loss. All that was possible in the first half were two attempts by Daniel Jensen which failed to really cause problems (31’ and 41’).

At half time Thomas Schaaf introduced a further front man in Kevin Schindler to replace Patrick Owomoyela and provide an even more attacking set up. Werder’s best chance of getting a second fell to Naldo with a free-kick from 18 meters which struck the wall (47’). The match decider fell shortly after at the other end of the pitch as Reira broke down the left and crossed into the centre. Reinke came to cover the delivery but spilled the ball and Cora was perfectly placed to slot the loose ball into the empty Werder net - 1:1 (50’). Barcelona had scored from out of nowhere and with the game thrown wide open, the now very confident Spaniards were able to find yet more space to counter attack. Now with their tails up, Espanyol won a corner from which Lacruz climbed higher than Schulz to head his side into the lead and surely now into the UEFA Cup final – 1:2 (61’). This time there would be no ‘Wonder on the Weser’.

The fans celebrate despite disappointment

There was little to shout about during the final 30 minutes of Werder’s European adventure. Diego (64’) and Schulz (88’) tried their luck from distance but it was clear that both clubs had decided to save themselves for the challenges that lie ahead. The misery of the Werder fans didn’t last all too long though as the Weser faithful rose to acknowledge the achievements of their team. Ironically, in the 92nd minute, Luis Garcia became the first Espanyol player to see yellow for time wasting. A minute later the game was up! Werder bowed out of Europe whilst Espanyol proceeded to the final on the back of 14 UEFA Cup matches without defeat. The final will be played at Glasgow’s Hampden Park against FC Sevilla on 16.05.2007.

Johnnie Muldoon