This game comes at just the right time for Werder. The Bundesliga runners-up hope to use their chances against AC Milan in the UEFA Cup and shoot themselves out of a slump. "Every one of us looks...
This game comes at just the right time for Werder. The Bundesliga runners-up hope to use their chances against AC Milan in the UEFA Cup and shoot themselves out of a slump. "Every one of us looks...
This game comes at just the right time for Werder. The Bundesliga runners-up hope to use their chances against AC Milan in the UEFA Cup and shoot themselves out of a slump. "Every one of us looks forward to playing against big-name teams. It's especially appealing for us in the current situation to advance. Should we accomplish that feat, it would give us a lot of self-confidence - also for other challenges that we have in front of us," said captain Frank Baumann about the soul of his team.
Maybe this outlook - using an underdog victory to even out some of the other concerns - is the reason for so much anticipation for the Green-Whites. Anticipation and confidence that they take from the past few training days. Striker Claudio Pizarro, who scored a beautiful goal in Tuesday's final practice, said: "We are in a good mood and go into the game knowing that we have looked good here in Weser Stadion against other big clubs. This is our stadium. And we have to win this game with the support of our great fans."
Clemens Fritz is also wildly resolute: "International matches always have a special tension. But we have dealt quite well with that in the past. Milan is a strong team but they can be beaten as well."
A possible recipe for success for Werder could include the ingredients of Diego, tempo and clever tackling. Those are the points that defender Per Mertesacker found especially important on Tuesday. "We have to remedy our negligence in defence because it will be extremely important to not allow a goal," said Mertesacker.
