Plenty of fouls, lots of stoppages, no flow to the game. The goalless draw with 1. FSV Mainz 05 was not a footballing spectacle, as the players all seemed to agree in the...
Plenty of fouls, lots of stoppages, no flow to the game. The goalless draw with 1. FSV Mainz 05 was not a footballing spectacle, as the players all seemed to agree in the...
Plenty of fouls, lots of stoppages, no flow to the game. The goalless draw with 1. FSV Mainz 05 was not a footballing spectacle, as the players all seemed to agree in the mixed zone at the Weser-Stadion after the game. "It was a hectic game with no consistency. At times Mainz were in control, then we took over again - it wasn't great to watch," judged Zlatko Junuzovic, who started the game on the bench following two appearances for Switzerland during the international break.
"It was a typical post-international-break game," explained Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik. "The players were all in different physical conditions, which prevented both teams from finding a rhythm. The spark was missing and so was the flow. It wasn't an attractive game. I would have preferred a 3-3 over a 0-0."
WERDER.DE got all the reaction to the game.
Thoughts on the game:
Zlatko Junuzovic: "In the end, we might've deserved the three points a bit more, but overall we can all be satisfied with the point. We weren't able to land the lucky punch. It was unfortunate that Fin's (Bartels) attempt towards the end didn't find its way into the net."
Levent Aycicek: "Mainz created a lot of pressure. We didn't manage to build our attacks today. We improved in the second half and had chances to win the game."

Thomas Eichin: "It was a strange game. We didn't get off to a good start, Mainz closed down the space available to us very well. We improved after Junuzovic was brought on and could've won the game even. But overall we have to be satisfied with this deserved draw. In the past, we often went on to lose these type of games. I was quite nervous from the 85th minute onwards."
Theodor Gebre Selassie: "We have to take every point we can obviously, but based on the second half the draw is rather disappointing. Unfortunately we weren't able to convert one of our chances to collect all three points."
Philipp Bargfrede: "Obviously we had higher aims for this game prior to kick off, but we struggled today. We often lacked concentration and gave away the ball too easily. There was no flow to our game today. Mainz defended well, making it very hard for us to create chances."
Sebastian Prödl: "I have mixed feelings about the game. Our clear aim was to come away with a victory, but it was really tough against this Mainz side. Therefore, a draw is the deserved result in the end."
Raphael Wolf: "I'm happy about keeping a clean sheet and the team defended quite well as a whole today. It's a shame that we didn't manage to score a goal today, but the team lacked passion going forward. We often only reacted to what the opposition did, rather than taking the initiative ourselves. A 0-0 draw isn't great, but it's also not really bad either. I expect us all to step it up a notch in Stuttgart."
Thoughts on the injury situation:
Thomas Eichin: "We have several injured players at the moment and it was certainly a factor today, as we saw the team struggling to find their rhythm. We were completely out of the game for the opening 20 minutes. Zlatko Junuzovic is weapon even from the bench and he played well after his substitution."
Zlatko Junuzovic: "The national team games were tough and there was also a lot of travelling involved. I wasn't able to do much for two days and only participated in the final training session before the game. The coach approached me today and told me that I would start on the bench. I think we made the right decision. You have to take into account that the risk of injury is higher when you are tired."

Sebastian Prödl: "We had to make some adjustments prior to the game. Clemens and Juno were obviously missing, but as a mid-table team you are able to compensate for that. After Juno was brought on we started to play more bravely."
Viktor Skripnik: "Juno has played nearly every game for the full 90 minutes both for us and for the Swiss national team. At some point you simply get tired. We talked and he said that he thought it was best if he took a place on the bench at the start of the game because he wants to help the team and not just make an appearance. We don't want to wear him out. We want him fresh for the upcoming games. The decision to sideline Clemens today came after his neck problems didn't improve following treatment."
Thoughts on Wolf's saves:
Raphael Wolf: "It's my job to keep the ball out of my goal. I think I've made several key saves over the past few weeks to help my team."
Philipp Bargfrede: "Rapha did a great job today, saving what had to be saved."
Thoughts on the fans' reaction towards Davie Selke:
Viktor Skripnik: "I'm thankful for the way our fans handled themselves today. There were some quiet jeers, but to be honest, I expected worse."
Thomas Eichin: "Everything was fair and within the limits - my compliments for that. The fans supported our team brilliantly again. Davie did his job and tried to help the team. He obviously would've liked to score a goal, but he doesn't need to blame himself for anything."

Zlatko Junuzovic: "It's a new experience for him. We stand behind him and try to give him support. We all saw that he gave everything today."
Thoughts on the upcoming game in Stuttgart:
Viktor Skripnik: "Mathematically we are not safe yet, but it's looking quite good following this draw and the results from the other games. It was a good step towards avoiding relegation."
Theodor Gebre Selassie: "Stuttgart are playing to survive but we will go there looking to secure three points."
Thomas Eichin: "A victory could have ended all the relegation worries, but the way it is, we are in no-man's land and need to keep our guard up. Stuttgart lost again today and will therefore try everything they can in order to beat us in front of their fans. We have to be prepared for that and put up a fight."
Zlatko Junuzovic: "We will go to Stuttgart with optimism. Mentally we should have an advantage over them. The pressure on us is gone, but we can't allow ourselves to take things easily from here. Mathematically everything is still possible."
