Schaaf warns about Zenit beaters – training without Özil

First Team
Thursday, 17.09.2009 / 08:52

The Werder Bremen group safely landed on Madeira Wednesday afternoon following a four and a half hour flight. But there will not be much time for head coach Thomas Schaaf’s team...

The Werder Bremen group safely landed on Madeira Wednesday afternoon following a four and a half hour flight. But there will not be much time for head coach Thomas Schaaf’s team to enjoy the vacation island. Just hours after arrival, the Werder coach and defender Naldo presented themselves to media at the official UEFA press conference ahead of their Europa League game against CD Nacional Funchal. And both issued warnings to the team about the Portuguese.

 

"They showed their qualities in the Europa League qualification by getting past Zenit St. Petersburg including a 1-1 draw there. At home they won 4-3, and scoring four goals against that kind of opponent shows their quality," said Schaaf. Werder’s Brazilian defender Naldo also paid his respect to a team which features some of his compatriots. "We know that it will be a tough game for us to play Nacional and against a few Brazilians. Tomorrow it will be important that we get closer together after we did not play so well against Hanover just like against Hertha. Tomorrow we have to show everything we have, talk a lot to one another and then also celebrate a success," said the centre back.

 

Özil availability a game-time decision

 

Mesut Özil, who already missed the last training on Tuesday, was also not on hand for the final training in the hosts' stadium. Whether or not the playmaker will play is a game day decision for Thursday. "Mesut at the moment is our best player. But we also have other players for tomorrow. Marko Marin is also a good footballer. He is right now playing as a striker but tomorrow maybe he will be back in the midfield," said Naldo.

 

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