There were 19 passengers including Klaus Allofs, Frank Baumann, some players and a couple journalists who needed somewhat longer to pass through the security controls at Bremen...
There were 19 passengers including Klaus Allofs, Frank Baumann, some players and a couple journalists who needed somewhat longer to pass through the security controls at Bremen...
There were 19 passengers including Klaus Allofs, Frank Baumann, some players and a couple journalists who needed somewhat longer to pass through the security controls at Bremen airport because one of the travellers' bags had to be checked more thoroughly than usual. When the Green-White group finally overcame the hurdle, that meant the start of Mission Champions League qualification. And the Bremen team does not to wait any longer. "This is a key match. You don’t need to beat around the bush. It’s either us or Genua, one team will win in this knockout tie. We have the better conditions but cannot rest on our laurels," emphasised head coach Thomas Schaaf the meaning of the game.
Especially bitter for the Werder coach is that of all times for this game that he only has 14 field players available. Aaron Hunt (fever) and Hugo Alemeida (thigh strain) had to remain in Bremen at short notice. "With them out we are missing two very strong players who have a wealth of experience in our game system and international competition. But we have deal with it. It hurts us. But we’ll see how we deal with it," said Schaaf.
Ready to step in as alternatives are Marko Marin and Marko Arnautovic. The latter’s experience in Italy with Inter Milan could be especially important. "I can’t really remember the games against Genua but everyone knows that things are pretty crazy in this stadium. They play entirely different at home and also collected the majority of their points at home last season. We really have to watch out for their strikers. We have to make sure that we don’t allow a goal, preferably until the final whistle. Then we will advance for sure. I am not thinking at all about not moving on," said Arnautovic, who would like to present himself one more time in the final training at 5:30 p.m. at Luigi Ferraris Stadium. "I still don’t know about the starting line-up. I will give my all and train my best. I was a substitute in Hoffenheim and of course I hope that I can play again."
