Petri Pasanen returned to join his colleagues for the final pre-match training session on Saturday. The Finnish defender had a break from training with a groin problem during the week but he was able to answer the call from trainer Thomas Schaaf to join the squad for the Bundeliga re-start against VfL Bochum.
“I get the treatment here that I need. I am available for the game”, commented Pasanen after finishing the training session, much to the relief of his trainer. “Thank God Petri is there – he has really stuck out with his recent performances”, explained Thomas Schaaf on the news of his full-backs fitness.
The Werder coach will have to make do without striker Ivan Klasnic. The Croatian will be out of action until at least next week with a capsule injury. Portuguese international Hugo Almeida will also miss out against Bochum. The front man saw red on match day 16 against Hanover 96 and will serve a three game suspension, which means he will not be available to his trainer until match day 20.
All things considered, Thomas Schaaf named the following squad for the Bundesliga re-start at the Weser Stadium:
Wiese, Vander, Pasanen, Mertesacker, Naldo, Tosic, Owomoyela, Baumann, Borowski, Diego, Jensen, Özil, Kruse, Vranjes, Schindler, Harnik, Hunt, Rosenberg.