They are the two oldest players on the team. They have played in World Cup and European Championship finals. They are the two captains and should be in the starting line-up on...
They are the two oldest players on the team. They have played in World Cup and European Championship finals. They are the two captains and should be in the starting line-up on...
They are the two oldest players on the team. They have played in World Cup and European Championship finals. They are the two captains and should be in the starting line-up on Wednesday night. And they have a clear duty: Frank Baumann and Torsten Frings should lead this Werder team at the UEFA Cup final. "They have played at a high level for years and especially in the recent weeks. And we will need that tomorrow as well," said head coach Thomas Schaaf. "They can dictate the game with their experience, can support team-mates, can calm down the odd player and push them to concentrate."
Frank Baumann knows that this game will have plenty to do with psychology. "Starting the day before the game, the tension increases hour by hour. And you have to control that. But the team has done that pretty well until now. There has already been a round where we could not master a difficult situation," said Baumann. And Torsten Frings also knows his experience will be critical. "This will be the most important game of the season. Now we can show that we are a great team. But only if we win the title," said Frings, who mainly plans on supporting the young players on the team like Mesut Özil. "Mesut can make the difference. But we cannot make the mistake of putting all the pressure on a 20-year-old. We all have to help him," added Frings.
Sebastian Prödl may also need a bit of support as the young Austrian will play a crucial role on defence after the loss of Per Mertesacker. Still Prödl is taking things calmly, saying: "Of course there is a bit of tension. But the anticipation is much bigger." Prödl's recipe will be concentrating on the basics. "I will try to remain concentrated. In these kinds of finals, a lot depends on your form that day. If it's right, then anything can happen."
