Season review part four: Unbelievable spring

Star-man Zlatko Junuzovic signed a contract extension until 2018. (photo: Heidmann)
First Team
Wednesday, 10.06.2015 / 16:20

How surreal and strange it was during these ecstatic few weeks, in which a team that many had already casually written off for relegation, out of nowhere brought unexpected...

How surreal and strange it was during these ecstatic few weeks, in which a team that many had already casually written off for relegation, out of nowhere brought unexpected sunshine down to the wintery Weser Stadion. It wasn't a time to ponder, but rather one to sit back and enjoy! "Sometimes I have to pinch myself. At the moment we are showing the Werder fans football that everyone wants to see from Werder Bremen. You can offer the people something and be proud because it's something we have worked very hard for", observed a delighted manager, Viktor Skripnik, after Bremen ran out dominant 3-2 winners against Augsburg, the season's surprise team with their frequently impressive performances.

It was the fifth Bundesliga win in a row, and a highlight of an exceptional wave of success that had evade the Green Whites for much of the past eight years. "The body language is phenomenal. If you compare it to a few months ago, the difference is like black and white", believed Zlatko Junuzovic, adding "We have a young team that is enjoying life and having fun. The team spirit is incredible. Everyone is fighting for each other. The coaching staff are leading us well and we trust them."

Energetic attack and deadly set pieces

Di Santo celebrates one of his two goals against Hertha BSC on matchday 18 (photo: nph)

A month and a half before, a good 200 Werder fans greeted their team during a lactate test on Pitch 11. In particular, they were there to voice deafening support for Junuzovic. The #junobleibtbremer initiative, a campaign to convince Junuzovic to stay at the club, stirred up the 27-year-old somewhat. "I'm a little taken aback, overwhelmed and honestly don't know how to react." The team took this remarkable encouragement into their eight-day training camp in Belek. Whilst Nils Petersen (Freiburg), Eljero Elia (Southampton), Ludovic Obranik (Rizespor), Richard Strebinger (Regensburg) and Oliver Hüsing (FC Hansa), each embraced new challenges on a loan basis, the U19s European Champion, Levin Öztunali (Leverkusen), keeper Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg) and young talented keeper Michael Zetterer (U'haching) were all added to the squad. Just four days before the second half of the season kicked off, Werder made one last winter signing: Jannik Vestergaard from Hoffenheim.

And as though the Great Dane had already been playing with Alejandro Gálvez for years, a striking new defensive partnership was formed that served as a cornerstone for the Werder's opening 2-0 against Hertha BSC at the beginning of 2015. "Lots of possession, lots of dominance", saw sporting director Thomas Eichin. "We stayed cool and robust, exactly what I want to see." And in attack? Franco Di Santo took care of that perfectly. Assisted by Theodor Gebre Selassie, the Argentinean leathered the ball into the top far corner in the 43rd minute. Later on he finished of Fritz's chipped cross with an acrobatic scissor kick to double the lead (68th). It was perfect timing for midweek fixtures, as soon after Werder sealed three more points in the 2-1 win over Hoffenheim (Di Santo, Bargfrede), as well as an impressive 2-1 win against Bayer Leverkusen (Selke, Junuzovic).

Junuzovic: "We’re starting to really, really test the top teams“

Werder's unbeaten run in 2015 finally ends against VfL Wolfsburg. (photo: nph)

Just hours before matchday 21, that feel on the 14th February and ended in a 3-2 win against Augsburg, the frequently wooed Zlatko Junuzovic gave the sensational news that he had signed a new contract until 2018 (Theo Gebre Selassie followed suit the following week). In short, the perfect Valentine's Day and the perfect Werder team to fall in love with, playing sensational attacking football and deadly set pieces - all down to the technical prowess of Junuzovic himself. Despite all the euphoria, the team never lost grip on reality. "We know where we have come from", believed Fin Bartels, whilst Thomas Eichin explained: "We are all very, very vigilant." Humility and concentration saw them secure another unlikely point against Schalke. S04 looked like the likely winners and "everyone knows how difficult it is to come back from a goal down here", emphasised manager Viktor Skripnik afterwards.

But not for Werder, as deep into injury time and Bremen sent the ball into the box for one last attack, the recently returned Sebastinan Prödl leapt into the air, ahead of the Schalke keeper Roman Wellenreuther, to head the ball in from five yards out and rescue a late point for the Green Whites. It took eventual runners up and DFB Cup winners, VfL Wolfsburg, to finally halt Werder's incredible run. Despite leading 3-2 at the break, a mad few moments in the second half in the second gifted the Wolfs a 5-3 win in a thrilling match. "Perhaps we got a bit to excited and we were punished for it", admitted Thomas Eichin. Felix Kroos reflected: "We only lose this game against two teams: VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern." But one positive Werder could definitely take was echoed by goal scorer Zlatko Junuzovic: "we're starting to really, really test the top teams".

 

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