Werder Clinch Third Spot : Another Shot At The Champions League

First Team
Sunday, 22.05.2005 / 10:18

Ex-Champions Werder Bremen had a minimal chance of reaching the much sought after final Champions League spot on the last day of the season as they travelled to Kaiserslautern. A 2:1 win and slip-ups by Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin saw the Green-Whites steal into third place. Borowski (13') and Valdez (42') gave Werder a well earned lead which was reduced just before the break by Halil Altintop. A hard fought second half sealed the deal for Bremen who earned another chance to prove themselves on the biggest of all club footballing stages next season.

Ex-Champions Werder Bremen had a minimal chance of reaching the much sought after final Champions League spot on the last day of the season as they travelled to Kaiserslautern. A 2:1 win and slip-ups by Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin saw the Green-Whites steal into third place. Borowski (13') and Valdez (42') gave Werder a well earned lead which was reduced just before the break by Halil Altintop. A hard fought second half sealed the deal for Bremen who earned another chance to prove themselves on the biggest of all club footballing stages next season.

 

Trainer Thomas Schaaf was forced to make three changes to the side which swept SC Freiburg away with a 4:1 win last weekend. The injured Daniel Jensen and the suspended Ludovic Magnin were replaced by captain Frank Baumann and Christian Schulz. Up front Nelson Valdez got the nod ahead of Mohamed Zidan alongside Miroslav Klose.

 

Werder took the reigns from the outset at a capacity filled Fritz-Walter-Stadium. As visitors, the Green-Whites set about their hosts and created a number of early chances. Fabiab Ernst came close with a shot after a cross from Paul Stalteri (8'). Three minutes later winger Stalteri could have put Werder in front himself but had his chance foiled by Mettomo at the last second. Werder would make their next chance count. Nelson Valdez won Valerien Ismaels long ball in the air and fed Tim Borowski who took on the shot in his stride. Keeper Thomas Ernst could do little as the ball rolled between his legs to give the guests a deserved 1:0 lead (13').

 

Valdez crowns good performance with a goal

 

Paul Stalteri was forced out of the tie early having picked up a knock in an earlier challenge with Mettomo. Frank Fahrenhorst replaced the Canadian. The German international slotted into the centre of the back four with Petri Pasanen moving out to the right. The change made little difference to the flow of the match with Werder continuing to press their hosts who were barely involved in the game up to this point. The decrowned champions should have had a penalty in the 16th minute when Mettomo brought down Miro Klose in the box but referee Wack waved play-on.

 

Not even that refereeing mistake could shake the North Germans who continued to force the issue. Valdez blasted a shot over the bar from four meters (26'), then Klose tried his luck only to find the post in his way (36'). Substitute Fahrenhorst had his moment in the 39th minute defusing a potentially lethal Altintop as the Turkish international broke free with only Andi Reinke to beat. It was a mistake by Lauterns midfield man Lehmann which led to Werder increasing their lead. Lehmann gave away possession as the last man to a determined Valdez. The Paraguayer powered away and slotted the ball past the onrushing Thomas Ernst. 2:0 Werder (42'). As everyone settled back for the half-time whistle, FCK launched a surprise attack which led to them reducing the defecit. Zandi cut a swath through the Werder defence with a pass which found Altintop who drove his shot low past Reinke (45'). 1:2 at the break.

 

Advantage Werder in an open game

 

The crowd on the Betzenberg were treated to more of the same in the second half with Thomas Schaafs side controlling the play and creating their next chance just two minutes after the re-start. Micoud set Borowski free on the right. 'Boro' put his pass through to Klose who failed to reach the ball before the advancing Ernst got down and smothered the ball. Werder took their foot a little off the pedal at this point but maintained control of a game which became continually bogged down in the midfield.

 

It took until the 64th minute for the next strike on goal, this time by FCK. The highly regarded youngster Englehardt tried his luck with a free kick from 25 meters but failed to really test Reinke. The closing phase was again controlled by the visitors from the Weser. Nelson Naldez was in the thick of things twice in three minutes. Firstly the striker drove a shot into the side netting (71') and then pushed the ball wide of an open goal (74'). The Paraguayen fluffed another chance in the 90th minute but luckily for Werder 2:1 would be enough. Werder had not only collected all three points but also performed the unthinkable and claimed third place leaving Hertha and Stuttgart in their wake.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

Werder Bremen: Reinke - Stalteri (15' Fahrenhorst), Ismael, Pasanen, Schulz - Baumann, Borowski, F. Ernst, Micoud - Klose (86' Klasnic), Valdez

 

1.FC Kaiserslautern: T. Ernst - Lembi, Hertzsch, Mettomo, Tchato - Riedl, Lehmann (73' Seitz), Englehardt - Altintop, Zandi (46' Mikic), Amanatidis

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