The midweek-weekend action doesn't stop as there remains very little time to rest for Werder Bremen. After beating AS Saint Etienne 1-0 at home in the UEFA Cup, Bremen's next task is ready and waiting...
The midweek-weekend action doesn't stop as there remains very little time to rest for Werder Bremen. After beating AS Saint Etienne 1-0 at home in the UEFA Cup, Bremen's next task is ready and waiting...
The midweek-weekend action doesn't stop as there remains very little time to rest for Werder Bremen. After beating AS Saint Etienne 1-0 at home in the UEFA Cup, Bremen's next task is ready and waiting. VfB Stuttgart arrive for a match on Sunday, 15 March 2009 at 5 p.m. in Weser Stadion. And the Green-Whites have been given a "clear assignment" from head coach Thomas Schaaf: "We want to manage this game as best as we can. We want to pair a good performance and a good result. And I think you can give your best effort if you are always in rhythm."
Werder definitely cannot complain about being in rhythm at the moment. Instead there is more a concern that the international midweek games are starting to take their toll on the team. "Against Saint Etienne we were a bit sluggish in the second half. But I believe it was more in their heads than their fitness," said Schaaf. "If you're not as clear in your actions, like in the second half, then you tend to take a step back."
The coach will once again be missing a number of key players against Stuttgart. Naldo (red card suspension) and Daniel Jensen (broken nose) are both definitely out, while question marks remain for Mesut Özil (knee capsule injury) and Per Mertesacker (sick). "It is very questionable whether Mesut will be ready for Sunday. Per could perhaps return to training on Saturday. But we have to wait and see," said Schaaf.
