Head coach Thomas Schaaf has recently admitted he was not a friend of the shortened winter break. That makes it all the more important - said Werder bosses on Thursday...
Head coach Thomas Schaaf has recently admitted he was not a friend of the shortened winter break. That makes it all the more important - said Werder bosses on Thursday...
Head coach Thomas Schaaf has recently admitted he was not a friend of the shortened winter break. That makes it all the more important - said Werder bosses on Thursday - that Bremen get out of the starting blocks in a good way. "We know after the few days that we did not really lose that much physically. But we will have to see if we have that necessary liveliness," said Schaaf. The 48-year-old coach hopes his team can lay the foundation for a strong second half straight away in Frankfurt. "The question is how quick we can develop our usual rhythm and things become automatic," added the coach. Certainly crucial to their start will be the personnel situation for the Bremen coach. And there are some uncertainties remaining with the start of the second half looming.
Pizarro questionable, Mertesacker close to return
All Werder fans must continue to wait for the return of Claudio Pizarro to the Green-Whites' team training. "Compared to yesterday, Claudio Pizarro has improved. We hope that he can complete running training tomorrow so there is a chance he can be there on Saturday," said Schaaf. Another striker returned to the pitch after a tough cold - Hugo Almeida. The Portuguese international missed three days of training and provides another option for Saturday. And there is also good news about Per Mertesacker. "He is much better," said Schaaf about his German international centre back. "Per had a running training and will come back to training with the team at the latest by tomorrow," added the coach. Definitely unavailable for the Green-Whites on Saturday are Phillip Bargfrede and Sebastian Boenisch.
Werder's final training will take place on Friday, 15 January 2010 at 2 p.m. before the players fly to Frankfurt.
