Van Bommel: "We've All Taken Notice Of Werders 5:1 Win"

Superstar Ronaldinho felt the presence of Mallorcas Yoshito Okubo on Sunday evening
First Team
Monday, 12.09.2005 / 19:08

A pair of sandels, estimated to have cost €200,000, have generated more interest of late in Barcelona than Werder Bremen. The shoes are rumoured to be a post-wedding present from playmaker Deco to his freshly married wife - the couple tied the knot on July 2nd.

A pair of golden sandals, estimated to have cost €200,000, have generated more interest of late in Barcelona than Werder Bremen. The shoes are rumoured to be a post-wedding present from playmaker Deco to his freshly married wife - the couple tied the knot on July 2nd.

 

Contrary to the Spanish media, Werder Bremen are very present in the minds of FC Barcelonas' players. Following their 2:0 win over Real Mallorca, Mark van Bommel made clear: "We've all taken notice of Werders 5:1 win in Kaiserslautern. We know we've got an attractive match ahead of us in which Werder will be a real test for us." Even the Catalan sides captain Carles Puyol warned: "Bremen have proved over the last few years that they're always good for a surprise. That's why it's so important for us to get a good result there. Our win against Mallorca has set us up well to do just that."

 

FC Barcelonas' 2:0 win against Mallorca on the second match day of the Spanish Primera League was proof that they can turn their playing capabilities into goals, this was not the case as the Spanish champions opened their campaign with a 0:0 draw in Alaves. Man of the Match on Sunday was undoubtedly Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o notching up ten shots on goal, finding the net twice. Eto'o together with Deco and Ronaldinho are the central point of Barcelonas attacking style, although onlookers on Sunday would have been much more impressed by the display of Deco than that of an unusually retreated Ronaldinho.

 

The fact that the Spanish champions are not just about the World Footballer of the Year was clear to see on Sunday evening. In the midfield it was Xavi and Rafael Marquez who set about turning their trainers wishes into actions, constantly winning their midfield battles. FC Barcelonas' success lay in their ability to maintain possession and proving early on in the season their ability to adapt the tempo to suit their situation.

 

The Catalans side belief in their own strenght lies most likely in the fact that they are probably the side in Europe most used to playing together as a team. Quite the opposite of bitter rivals Real Madrid, who are estimated to have made €80M of improvements to their squad, Barcelona made just two signings in Mark van Bommel (from PSV Eindhoven) and Santiago Ezquerro (from Athletico Bilbao), neither of whom have as yet broken into the first team. At the same time they've managed to keep the bulk of last seasons championship winning team together. Cornerstones of the team such as Xavi, Deco, Victor Valdes and Ronaldinho have all signed contract extensions.

 

Their strategy seems to be working. Last sasons top Spanish club have already secured their first silver ware of the current season in superior fashion, taking the Spanish Super-Cup against Betis Sevilla. The intention is for the Champions League title to follow: "We're really looking forward to the Champions League. It's time it got underway. We're ready to go a long way in this competition", explained van Bommel. No wonder that the Spanish have no intent of being generous at the Weser Stadium. As far as they're concerned, the points have as little chance of staying in Bremen as the now infamous €200,000 golden sandals.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

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