Schaaf not taking statements seriously, but the game yes

Werder hope to avoid a crash landing and must be fully concentrated on the game.
First Team
Wednesday, 18.03.2009 / 09:00

Head coach Thomas Schaaf doesn't want to hear anything about a white flag being waved by Saint-Etienne. The Werder coach never really took the comment seriously - even before his coaching colleague took back his...

Head coach Thomas Schaaf doesn't want to hear anything about a white flag being waved by Saint-Etienne. The Werder coach never really took the comment seriously - even before his coaching colleague took back his message. And Schaaf also doesn't think Alain Perrin's comments were made for tactical reasons. "You cannot overplay this. This kind of statement could come in disappointment after losing a game. He basically is just worried about the situation in the league," said Schaaf.

 

Werder manager Klaus Allofs agreed with his coach after statements were made last weekend in France in which the Saint-Etienne coach said maybe it would be better for the team's chances in the league to be eliminated from the UEFA Cup. "It's clear that he is worried about his team falling into the relegation zone. And with such a young team, it's an extraordinary burden to playing internationally as well."

 

But Werder management also knows that teams like this can really gain the necessary confidence by playing in competitions with so much attention. "They will not give us anything for free. They can't afford that, if nothing else because of their fans, to whom they want to prove themselves. This is a club with a lot of tradition and many supporters. And I assume that we will get a sense in the stadium that this is an important game," said Schaaf, whose team will be supported by more than 300 Bremen fans making the trip.

 

Former Werder star Johan Micoud was just one person who gave his warning about the French club last week during his visit to Bremen. "Saint-Etienne is a tradition-rich club. They have the most fans and the best atmosphere. And all that is supported by a very beautiful, close and steep stadium, which can really turn into a nightmare place to play," said the Frenchman.

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