A Tense Affair - Werder Beat Rostock 1:0

First Team
Sunday, 04.11.2007 / 08:28

Werder Bremen have notched up their fifth back-to-back home win in the Bundesliga. The Green-Whites enjoyed a narrow 1:0 over Hansa Rostock in a tense northern derby.

Werder Bremen have notched up their fifth back-to-back home win in the Bundesliga. The Green-Whites enjoyed a narrow 1:0 over Hansa Rostock in a tense northern derby. Werder were in control of the game right from the out-set but had to be extremely patient against a tightly packed Rostock defence. It took until the 39th minute to break the deadlock and again it was Hogo Almeida with the vital strike after a good delivery from Leon Andreasen. The visitors made a brave attempt in the second half but failed to break down the Green-Whites resistance.

 

Rosenberg replaces Sanogo

 

In front of a 41,738 strong crowd at an almost capacity filled Weser Stadium, trainer Thomas Schaaf made one change to the side which beat MSV Duisburg in midweek with Markus Rosenberg replacing the injured Boubacar Sanogo (bruised foot). Clemens Fritz returned to the squad having recovered from a groin injury but started on the bench.

 

Werder began the game convincingly with the bulk of the possession but no clear chances to take the lead. The Green-Whites combined well but found a resilient Rostock protecting their penalty area. During the first half-hour, the hosts were reduced to trying their luck from distance and through set pieces.

 

Chances aplenty

 

Hugo Almeida tested Stefan Wächter in the Hansa goal with a powerfully driven 20 meter free-kick which the keeper could only parry but Brazilian defender Orestes was able to clear the ball before it reached Markus Rosenberg (4’). Four minutes later, the Swede tested Wächter’s reflexes after a headed pass from Almeida which the keeper did exceptionally well to stop. Rosenberg and captain Frank Baumann both had chances just before the half hour mark but there was to be no joy for the Werder faithful on this occasion.

 

The guests from Rostock limited their involvement in the game almost exclusively to their defensive tasks and it was hardly any wonder that their best chance was created by a defender. Dexter Langen broke down the right before cutting into the middle and driving in a shot to proof the alertness of Tim Wiese who, until then, had little to do (38’).

 

Andreasen and Almeida relieve the fans

 

In a direct counter attack, Hugo Almeida finally managed to find a way past the Hansa defence and reward the home side’s superiority. Leon Andreasen drove in a strong delivery and Hugo Almeida broke away from his marker to get a knee to the ball and put it into the top of the net, leaving Wächter no chance (39’).

 

Having taken the lead, Werder relieved the pressure on their guests after the break and allowed Rostock to get a more solid grip on the match. Still, Rosenberg had two chances to double his sides lead with a couple of headed efforts. The first missed the target after a cross from Dusko Tosic (56’), the second, which came after a Diego delivery, was cleared off the line by Heath Pearce (61’).

 

Close call for Mosquera

 

As the tie progressed, the visitors made three changes, opting for a more aggressive attacking approach in their attempt to take at least a point from the Weser Stadium. Zafer Yelen came close with a free-kick which zipped just over the crossbar (74’) and Naldo was well placed to block a shot from Marc Stein (83’).

 

The game remained a tense affair right to the final whistle but the Werder defence always looked in control of the situation. It was the Green-Whites who had the last chance of the game through Bundesliga debutant John Jairo Mosquera. The 19 year old Columbian, who replaced Rosenberg in the 78th minute, took on a pass from Diego and rounded Orestes but was stopped in his tracks by the sprawling Wächter. The youngster was denied a second goal within four days after his success in the cup on Wednesday.

 

It was to be ‘Just’ a 1:0 win for Werder Bremen but a very valuable one as Bayern Munich could only manage a 0:0 draw at home against Eintracht Frankfurt meaning the gap between Werder and the league leaders is now reduced to four points in third place. Hamburg SV remain in second thanks to a 2:1 win over Hertha BSC Berlin.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

Werder Bremen- Hansa Rostock 1:0

 

Werder Bremen: Wiese - Pasanen, Mertesacker, Naldo, Tosic (67. Fritz) - Baumann - Andreasen (74. Vranjes), Borowski - Diego - Almeida, Rosenberg (78. Mosquera); auf der Bank: Vander, Harnik, Kruse, Schindler

 

FC Hansa Rostock: Wächter - D. Langen, Sebastian, Orestes, M. Stein - Rydlewicz (59. Dorn), Rathgeb (70. Yelen), Bülow, Rahn (59. Pearce) - Agali, Kern

 

Goal: 1:0 (39.) Almeida

 

Referee: Seemann (Essen)

 

Attendance: Weser-Stadion - 41.738

 

Yellow cards: Rosenberg, Tosic, Almeida, Vranjes – Kern

 

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