Seven days in Miami, fourteen days back home in Sweden. It was exactly what Werder striker Markus Rosenberg needed before he returned to his club both healthy and relaxed on Thursday.
Seven days in Miami, fourteen days back home in Sweden. It was exactly what Werder striker Markus Rosenberg needed before he returned to his club both healthy and relaxed on Thursday.
Seven days in Miami, fourteen days back home in Sweden. It was exactly what Werder striker Markus Rosenberg needed before he returned to his club both healthy and relaxed on Thursday: “I feel really good,” said the 25 year old following his first session of running through Bremen’s ‘Bürgerpark’ in preparation for the new season.
His knee problem from the Swedish EURO 2008 training camp is behind him now: “I am not feeling pain anymore and hope that it stays that way. Whilst on holiday I just did some jogging and didn’t play any football. Neither the doctors in Sweden nor in Bremen saw any reason for concern and they have given me the green light,” explained Rosenberg.
The disappointment from the European Championships is also a thing of the past. Despite scoring 14 goals and having 9 assists to his credit in the Bundesliga last season, Rosenberg had to make way for Henrik Larsson in the Swedish starting eleven: “I had a fantastic season with Werder. My chances of winning a starting place in the team looked good until he returned. Here’s nothing you can do about that,” said the rather contrite striker: “Larsson has the name, he is a great player. Everyone loves him, he’s very likeable, Mr. Nice Guy. Everyone was happy to see him back in the team.”
At just 25, Markus Rosenberg is yet to reach his peak, but he still finds himself in the shadow of Henrik Larsson. The fact that the 36 year old still intends to continue his international career (“If I’m called upon, I’ll continue”) hasn’t shaken Rosenberg: “I am fully concentrated on Werder so as to pick up where I left off last season and continue to develop. I can’t do more than that.”
