The calendar is relentless. Werder did not return from Istanbul until Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Just 24 hours later, the team was on the way to their next game...
The calendar is relentless. Werder did not return from Istanbul until Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Just 24 hours later, the team was on the way to their next game...
The calendar is relentless. Werder did not return from Istanbul until Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Just 24 hours later, the team was on the way to their next game. On Saturday, 23 May 2009, they will play against Bundesliga leaders Wolfsburg.
"All of Germany will be looking at us on the 34th game day - as the championship will be decided," manager Klaus Allofs said. Wolfsburg lead the table by two points over Bayern Munich and Stuttgart - who face off against one another - and have a seven-goal advantage in goal difference over second placed Bayern. Even though the top contenders have already congratulated Wolfsburg on the title, things are more tense in Wolfsburg. Werder, after all, is one of the most uncomfortable guests Wolfsburg could have asked for in a decisive game. Bremen are undefeated in the last six games at the other Green-Whites. And hopefully it stays that way.
Ahead of the game, Werder coach Thomas Schaaf said: "We want to play the football that we hope to always play and will do everything we can for us to be successful." Those two words - "for us" - are important. "Completing the Bundesliga with a successful result between the two finals would be good for us," said the Bremen coach. Other than the long-term injured players Daniel Jensen and Per Mertesacker, all other players are available.
And the following 18 players will be making the trip on the final Bundesliga weekend: Wiese, Vander, Boenisch, Pasanen, Naldo, Tosic, Baumann, Fritz, Diego, Özil, Hunt, Prödl, Tziolis, Frings, Almeida, Pizarro, Niemeyer, Harnik
