Season review part one: lots of quality, but not without faults

Prödl rescues a point after a thrilling match against Bayer Leverkusen. (photo: nph)
First Team
Wednesday, 03.06.2015 / 15:16

It's mid September. Werder open matchday 3 of the 2014/15 season with a Friday evening match away to Bayer Leverkusen. Marnon Busch, who had only just come on, whipped in a cross...

It's mid September. Werder open matchday 3 of the 2014/15 season with a Friday evening match away to Bayer Leverkusen. Marnon Busch, who had only just come on, whipped in a cross from the right, before Nils Petersen flicked the ball onto the far post, where Sebastian Prödl was waiting to volley home an emphatic equaliser to make it 3-3 in the 85th minute.

This goal sealed a point against Bayer 04, who until then were top of the league with a 100% record, and subsequently the third consecutive draw. "It's too early to say where we are going to finish. In every game so far we have shown two sides to our game", said midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic after the game, "but you can see how much quality we have in our team. We need to show more of that on the pitch and not concede the lead in games."

Adventure in the Far East - statement of intent against Chelsea

Lukimya and Makiadi pose with two children on a sightseeing tour in China. (photo: WERDER.DE)

A good two-and-a-half months before that, Bremen's pre-season preparations began with an exhausting, yet equally exciting, week-long trip to China. It took a 25 hour journey, with stops in Istanbul and Beijing, before Werder could start their mini-tour of three north-eastern cities in China: Changchun, Tianjin and Beijing.

Despite unfamiliar climate conditions and the frequent travelling, the Green Whites won both of their friendly matches against the Chinese Super League sides Changchun Yatai (1-0) and Tianjin TEDA (2-1). "We always said we would venture into new markets if it made sense", explained chief executive Klaus Filbry before the trip, and he was extremely satisfied by the end: "We felt very good, had some great experiences and had some great competition from a sporting perspective. China was worth the visit. Thanks for letting us come here."

Werder made a real statement of intent during the annual fan's day, as Robert Dutt's side beat a star-studded Chelsea team, with the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, 3-0 in front of 50,000 fans at the Weser Stadion. Central defender Assani Lukimya, however, knew to take the result into perspective: "We're not going to let ourselves get carried away with euphoria or let the result blur our expectations."

Dutt: “The team spirit and cohesion here is unique”

Goal scorer Lumiya celebrates with the fans after the win against Illertissen (Photo: Gumz)

They were well advised. As already in the DFB Pokal opener against Regionalliga side FV Illertissen threatened a repeat of recent cup upsets for Werder in Heidenheim, Münster and Saarbrücken. At 1-1 (Hajrovic had put Werder into the lead after 4 minutes from the penalty spot), Illertissen's forward Hämmerle tested Raphael Wolf's nerves in the 89th minute and Werder would need extra time to grind out a 3-2 win thanks to goals from Lukimya and Davie Selke.

Zlatko Junuzovic echoed everyone at Bremen following Werder's first cup victory in four years: "It's a great relief, but we're not too happy. The game was too open for our liking, we lost our bottle. I'm happy that we are through, but things could have gone very differently." But Bremen proved they were a tough team to break down, qualities that would be called upon again and again once the season kicked off in Berlin.

When Schieber scored his second to double Hertha BSC's lead on matchday one, the Green Whites began to show that, compared to some of their league rivals, they were more than capable of rescuing points from losing positions. "The team spirit and cohesion in this team is completely unique. I have never experienced something like this in my career", something manager Robin Dutt had already expressed during the off season. In the end Bremen would go on to secure an away point thanks to goals from Lukimya and Franco Di Santo.

Almost dejavu in the cup – bouncebackability on display from the beginning

New boy Alejandro Gálvez scores a wonder goal against Hoffenheim. (photo: nph)

Similarly, the season opener at the Weserstadion exposed the side's early-season nerves, as Firmino put Hoffenheim 1-0 in the lead during the first half. "At the break we made a few changes to counter TSG and stop them playing the ball through", explained Robin Dutt. As a result, Werder put on a brilliant second-half display, for which they much desired reward was not received - despite a constant barrage of attacks, which is most case produced great scoring opportunities , only a wonderful swivelling volley from Alejandro Gálvez from 14 yards would hit the back of the net, securing a 1-1 draw.

Already Werder were receiving praise for their coolness in adversity. Bayer Leverkusen's daring attacking play under new manager Roger Schmidt had already shocked league runners up, Borussia Dortmund, after just nine seconds on matchday one, and it only took 17 minutes for them to go 1-0 through Jedvajs against Werder. Now in front, Bayer 04 heaped even more pressure on Werder defence, until suddenly just before half time, Fin Bartels spoiled to party with an equaliser (45).

The stubborn, almost defiant, Werder side added fuel to the fire in the second half, taking the lead through Di Santo (60), before Calhanoglu and Son fought back to restore Leverkusen's superior position. But it was Sebastian Prödl who popped up with the decisive equaliser to level the game on the 85th minute and secure a point. "The point against Leverkusen is a highlight, when we don't take any points home from Augsburg, it counts for nothing", emphasised the Austrian.

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