'Mertes' fight for final fitness begins

First Team
Friday, 08.05.2009 / 19:40

In the game, which saw Werder book their place in a European tournament final for the first time in 17 years, he gave all he could possibly give. Per Mertesacker was determined not to miss a single minute in helping his team against Hamburger SV...

In the game, which saw Werder book their place in a European tournament final for the first time in 17 years, he gave all he could possibly give. Per Mertesacker was determined not to miss a single minute in helping his team against Hamburger SV, but in spite of his will to continue, he could not carry on. Shortly after the half time break he was forced out with a heavily swollen foot. The diagnosis – a torn ligament, which put his participation in the final in a couple of weeks in serious doubt! Head coach Thomas Schaaf announced on Friday afternoon: "The examination has confirmed that he has torn a ligament." And the Werder coach was not really surprised: "By the half time break his foot was so swollen that we though there must be more damage. He quickly realised himself that he wouldn’t be able to continue."

 

But Schaaf hasn’t written of the German international for the rest of the season just yet: "Now we’ll just have to wait and see how long he’s out of action for. I’m hopeful that he will be able to get involved once more."

 

Per Mertesacker himself is equally as optimistic as his trainer, and he is not wasting a moment in taking up the battle to make an 'Express-Return' to the pitch: "Just minutes after the end of the game yesterday evening I’d already planned the day today." On the recommendation of Werder team doctor, Dr. Dimanski, 'Mertes' schedule for Friday was set: "9am - MRI scan, 10am – doctor’s appointment, 11am – flight to Munich to see Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt and then maybe this afternoon I will travel to Donaustauf , where I will go through the rehabilitation programme," explained the European Championship runner-up per telephone shortly after his flight had landed in the Bavarian capital: "It was an extraordinary evening filled with highs and lows. Firstly conceding, then turning things around and then the tackle with Olic. I was first to the ball but he didn’t pull out of the tackle. He connected with my foot and I buckled under the challenge. I immediately felt fluid running into the joint and I had no stability anymore. I was hopeful because of the half time break but it made no sense. I wanted to play the second half at all costs, but considering the up-coming tasks, I had to reconsider and try to avoid causing any further damage." The following minutes were the bitterest of the evening for the central defender: "When the game carries on and you are sitting injured in the changing rooms then firstly you are shocked, but in the end I was able to enjoy it too. The success of the team is more important than anything else."

 

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