Goal against Bochum: "Freedom of the mind"

Openness, looseness and distraction - those are Werder's leitmotifs heading into the home match against Bochum. They want a good mood heading into their UEFA Cup semi-final against Hamburg.
First Team
Friday, 24.04.2009 / 14:11

So, take a deep breath. There is still the Bundesliga. After the wild celebrations for advancing to the German DFB Cup final and the anticipation of the next showdown in the UEFA Cup, it's not hard to...

So, take a deep breath. There is still the Bundesliga. After the wild celebrations for advancing to the German DFB Cup final and the anticipation of the next showdown in the UEFA Cup, it's not hard to forget about the Bundesliga. Still, despite all the Cup fever, Werder Bremen of course will still play out the rest of their domestic matches. "We also want to go our way in the Bundesliga as well and not ignore it. We want to have a strong showing on Saturday," said head coach Thomas Schaaf.

 

On Saturday, 25 April 2009 at 3:30 p.m. in Weser-Stadion, VfL Bochum will be guest - what proves to be anything but an easy task. It won't be easy for the fans, coaches and players to switch back to the daily routine of the league after the intense and thrilling game Wednesday night. Hamburg meant title chances, emotions and an imposing derby. Bochum on the other hand only means the Bundesliga and there is very little for Werder to play for looking at the standings.

 

But Thomas Schaaf welcomes the timing of the game, which comes between the first and second games of a four-part derby series with Hamburg. "We have to think about other things and focus on other opponents and other situations. That means a bit of distraction and not just getting fixated on one opponent," said Schaaf. Bochum is not just a middle of the table, meaningless game. Schaaf hopes that the Bochum provides his players with some "freedom of the mind".

 

But this freedom doesn't come automatically with a different opponent. You have to keep this freedom in grasp. Only a good showing and a satisfactory result on Saturday will build upon the confidence the team won by reaching the final. Still, that will not be easy even though the 14th-placed Bochum are considered a relegation candidate being just five points from the drop zone. But Schaaf warned his players that coach Marcel Koller's team has played some very good games this season and been very tough of late.

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