Werder Bremen reached the final of the German Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over second division Augsburg in the semi-finals and now have a chance to defend their title on...
Werder Bremen reached the final of the German Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over second division Augsburg in the semi-finals and now have a chance to defend their title on...
Werder Bremen reached the final of the German Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over second division Augsburg in the semi-finals and now have a chance to defend their title on 15 May in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. The goals were scored by Marko Marin and Claudio Pizarro.
A crowd of 32,000 spectators in Weser Stadium saw a very concentrated and good showing by Werder Bremen, who forced the second placed side from the second division into the defensive with a quick offensive system from the first minute on. Werder were the overwhelming team early on and developed good chances for Aaron Hunt, Caudio Pizarro and Mesut Özil, who all failed to convert their opportunities.
A strong Marko Marin proved better after half an hour. After a give-and-go with Mesut Özil, Marin received the ball in the area before chipping the ball back against the run to the lower left corner and giving Thomas Schaaf’s team a deserved lead. Werder were lucky in the 41st minute as Michael Thurk was fed a fine pass before hitting the far right post and the ball bounced back across the mouth of the goal but did not go in. And Werder went into the break ahead 1-0.
Werder were not able to continue their dominance in the second half as Augsburg showed more determination and developed their offensive game, making it a back-and-forth and interesting encounter. The Green-Whites were again lucky in the 62nd minute as Thurk stood alone in front of the Werder goal but shot well over the crossbar. At the other end, Marin put through a dream pass to Özil, who could not use his chance. And Thomas Schaaf brought on Hugo Almeida for Özil shortly thereafter.
But that changed very little in the match. The second division guests remained dangerous and kept the game close until the final stages. Ten minutes before the final whistle, Almeida had his first chance but the Portuguese shot wide of goal. The game was decided however in the 84th minute as a quickly taken free kick by Torsten Frings landed at the feet of an open Claudio Pizarro, who struck home to make it 2-0 for Werder. And Bremen would hold that lead until the end to return to the German Cup final.
Werder’s opponent in the final will be decided Wednesday evening when Schalke host Bayern Munich in the second semi-final.
Werder Bremen: Wiese – Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Pasanen – Frings, Bargfrede, Hunt (62’ Borowski), Özil (75’ Almeida) – Marin, Pizarro
Augsburg: Jentzsch – Reinhardt, Möhrle, de Roeck, El Akchaoui – Hegeler, Sinkala (60’ Rafael), Brinkmann (67’ Baier), Ndjeng – Traore, Thurk
Goals: 1-0 Marin (30’), 2-0 Pizarro (84’)
Yellow cards: Borowski (81’) - Ndjeng (42’), Rafael (62’)
Referee: Manuel Gräfe (Berlin)
Weser Stadium: 32,000 spectators
