The 20-year-old Timo Perthel from Werder's U23 side did not even take part in the final professional training on Saturday but played in the final stages of Bremen's 1-0 loss at Cologne - a very un-Werder-like match...
The 20-year-old Timo Perthel from Werder's U23 side did not even take part in the final professional training on Saturday but played in the final stages of Bremen's 1-0 loss at Cologne - a very un-Werder-like match...
The 20-year-old Timo Perthel from Werder's U23 side did not even take part in the final professional training on Saturday but played in the final stages of Bremen's 1-0 loss at Cologne - a very un-Werder-like match.
When Perthel was subbed in after 72 minutes with Werder trailing 1-0, Bremen had neither the wit from the first half nor the vigour which was missing throughout the full 90 minutes. "It was tough for me to get into the game. There was no flow of play, just high balls," said Timo Perthel about his first 18 minutes in Germany's top flight. Captain Frank Baumann praised his young team-mate, saying he had deserved to make this first appearance with the professional team. "He has been playing very well in the last few weeks and is a talent full of hope. Unfortunately it was not a very good moment for him to get subbed in. It would have been easier if we were leading," said Baumann.
But Perthel was not the only one aggravated about the loss. "We should not offer that kind of performance," said Clemens Fritz after the game. "That game, especially in the second half, was more than desolate. We lost the ball countless times, had no vigour and were not dangerous at all in front of their goal," said Per Mertesacker. And keeper Tim Wiese added: "We had chances, and if you don't take advantage of them it's your own fault that you lose." Head coach Thomas Schaaf also did not have many words of praise for his team at the press conference after the game. "I am unsatisfied with the loss. We started the game well and created some chances which we didn't use. And we wanted to improve that in the second half. But we lost our concentration after giving up the goal and never found the calmness to get back into the game," said the coach.
