Has 'Schulle' Spilt The Beans?

First Team
Thursday, 06.12.2007 / 20:10

Just like last weekend, when Werder take to the pitch on Saturday, 08.12.2007 at the AWD Arena in Hanover, there will be yet another north German derby on the cards.

Just like last weekend, when Werder take to the pitch on Saturday, 08.12.2007 at the AWD Arena in Hanover, there will be yet another north German derby on the cards. Having beaten Hansa Rostock 1:0 and HSV 2:1, the Green-Whites have set down a bench mark in the northern region but a quick look at the table will be testament enough that Hanover 96 are not just in the league to make up the numbers. “It’s a good thing that Hanover are developing into a further power in the north of Germany to show we are well capable of competing with the powers in the south of the country”, explained Werder coach Thomas Schaaf, with pride in the region from which he comes. The trainer went on to acknowledge: “We have a tough task ahead of us there and it will be a tense match.”

 

Three reasons to attack

 

This weekend, Werder will go up against the seventh placed side in the Bundesliga table and the Werder coach knows: “They have been playing fantastic football this season.” The ‘Reds’ started with two defeats in the first three games (Hamburg and Munich) but then trainer Dieter Heckings men went on to lose just one of their next nine ties. There followed two sobering defeats to Hertha Berlin and Schalke but last week’s curious 3:0 win in Rostock will have boosted the levels of confidence again. The game against Hansa looked destined to finish 0:0 until the 84th minute, when 96 went on the rampage and put three past the hosts.

 

The plan currently in Hanover is to take their positive record so far this season into the winter break with more points to their credit. To do so, the ‘Reds’ will have to improve their home record, having won just seven from sixteen games at the AWD-Arena. Last season, from 17 home games, 96 managed just 21 points – the fourth worst record in the top flight. This season has seen little change and in the home table, Hanover are back in 14th place – but away from home they are the league’s second best side!!! In recent years, the Werder faithful have happily made the 130km trip to the Lower Saxony capital city: “We haven’t beaten Bremen for a while now so that should raise our chances at the weekend”, remarked Dieter Hecking. It’s not only their home record working against them this Saturday though, 96 have never had much luck against Werder. Since 22nd April 1972, in 24 league meetings, Hanover have only once managed to beat Werder Bremen – a 2:1 success in Bremen in March 2003. Even in the DFB Cup, the pair have met five times since 1972. The ‘Reds’ only win coming in their cup winning year, 1992.

 

Has ‘Schulle’ spilt the beans?

 

Since September 1st this year though, Hanoverr have a secret weapon within their ranks against Werder. On that day, Christian Schulz left the Weser and headed for the Leine after 12 years in the Green-Whites. Will Werder have to change their game plan, with ‘Schulle’ surely having given his new side a tactical insight into how things work in Bremen. Thomas Schaaf said: “The tips that Christian could give them will bear no effect on our game-plan. We’ll be sticking to our guns.” The Werder coach has a great deal of respect for his opposite number, whom he knows all too well: “My colleague is often in Bremen, when he is we get together and often discuss football. I’m quite sure Dieter won’t need any tips from Christian. He has his own philosophy and good ideas which have been bearing fruitful of late.”

 

Since making the move to 96, Christian Schulz has been a vital element in their success and has missed just one game since his transfer. From a defensive midfield position, the German international has so far been on target three times and joins Szabolcs (6) and Mike Hanke (5) as one of the clubs top scorers. ‘Schulle’ could be of utmost importance to his side at the weekend with other midfield regulars such as Altin Lala and Chavdar Yankov out of the reckoning. “This time around we have the worry lines and not Bremen”, concluded Dieter Hecking. Will the wrinkles still be there by 5:15pm on Saturday?

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

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