Objective observers may have been a bit bewildered by what Thomas Schaaf put together for Werder Bremen's training Tuesday morning. Lots of rubber rods, players positioned at certain spots and changing drill formations. The head coach put more emphasis on playing the ball in from the wings, often interrupting the tactical session to deliver instruction and suggestions.

Denni Avdic was unable to take the tips at the end of the session as the Swedish striker had to leave training early. "He is not yet totally fit," said Schaaf on the way to the changing room. "He still had minor discomfort and had to sit out of the intensive training today." Avdic himself said he hasn't been able to sleep well for the past two days due to strong headaches and head to leave training. "I will be checked out again by the doctor. I'm still a bit dizzy," said the 22-year-old.

Claudio Pizarro and Philipp Bargfrede meanwhile did not even take the pitch. After overcoming their ankle and heal problems, the Werder players were bothered with a gastro-intestinal problem and a cold. And Florian Trinks missed Tuesday training due to his third and penultimate A-levels test.

Schaaf and U23 head coach Thomas Wolter will be without the services of Pascal Testroet for a couple days. The third league player and U23 Green-Whites' top scorer underwent an appendix operation Monday afternoon and is still in hospital. The 20-year-old will likely have to miss two weeks and will be unavailable for Werder in their important relegation battles in Heidenheim and against Dynamo Dresden. "I still have a bit of stomach pain but otherwise I'm feeling okay," said Testroet one day after the surgery. "I hope to be back on the pitch as soon as possible."