Following their Champions League qualification, many minds in Bremen were still on the group draw and the visit of FC Barcelona but headcoach Thomas Schaaf was clear that "From Friday on there will only be VfB Stuttgart on our minds." The Swabish side make the journey north to face the Green-Whites who intend to continue their winning streak with three Bundesliga wins in three games and maintain their contact to the top of the table.
Werder await the visit of Giovanni Trapatonis' side, an opponent who have definate intentions of making a European place this season, but as yet have failed to get out of the starting blocks. With just one point from two games (1:1 against Duisburg and 2:3 against cologne), the Swabish side fine themselves currently back in eleventh spot. Stuttgart were also very lucky to escape a DFB-Cup first round disaster, eventually beating third division club TSG Hoffenheim 4:3 after extra time. The Swabians Italian trainers plan to collect their first three points - Bremen Mentality!!: "I saw Werders game against Basel. The team wanted to win, that was clear and that's how we must play too!", explained the 66 year old. Despite recent discussions concerning his sidelined captain Soldo and a number of injurie problems, the experienced coach demands: "Everyone must take on responsibility, I don't want any alibis.With Serbian Danijel Ljuboja who came to Stuttgart on loan for one year from French side Paris St. German, Trappatoni has yet another striker in the fold.
A new striker but injury problems for VfB Stuttgart
Whether or not Ljuboja will take part or not depends on the time needed for the process of crossing "t's" and dotting "i's" - contractual formalities. Clear is the exemptions of six players from his squad, Bierofka (broken ankle), Streller (knee ligament tear), Carevic (thigh problem), Elson (knee injury), Delpierre (torn ankle ligaments) and Cacau (suspended). For Thomas Schaaf, aside from a long term injury to Tim Wiese (cruciate tear) and up-coming start Marco Stier (broken nose), his whole squad are fit and available. The Werder trainer has a great deal of respect for Stuttgart despite their momentary difficulties: "It'll be a tough task, Vfb have a good side with very good individual players." Schaaf is mostly concerned with VfBs' new Danish signings Jesper Grönkjaer and Jon Dahl Tomasson: "They've signed a very fast winger in Grönkjaer and Tomasson is a mobile man to have up front with an eye for goal." The 44 year old continued: "Stuttgart won't just pack behind the ball rather use their compact defence to start their attacks."
Vranjes and Magnin meet old acquaintances
For two of Saturdays participants, it will be a chance to catch up with old colleagues. Ex Werder defender Ludpvic Magnin makes his first return to the Weser Stadium and ex Stuttgarter Jurica Vranjes faces his ex-teammates again. The Croatian has no particular emotions going into the tie but has clear and defined goals: "We are better than Stuttgart and intend to keep all three points in Bremen." A win would not only revenge Werders two previous home defeats to Stuttgart, but also give Bremen their all-time best Bundesliga start with nine from nine available points.
Johnnie Muldoon