Sub Di Natale Shatters Werders Three Point Dream

Christian Schulz' free-kick set up Werders leading goal
First Team
Wednesday, 19.10.2005 / 08:46

Werder Bremen came agonisingly close to notching up their first Champions League win in Group C on the third mach day of the current season. Thomas Schaaf's men were gifted the lead in the 64th minute when Felipe headed past his own keeper and the German side looked likely to take all three points back home until four minute from time when substitute Antonio Di Natale grabbed an equaliser for last seasons Serie A runners-up Udinese Calcio.

Werder Bremen came agonisingly close to notching up their first Champions League win in Group C on the third mach day of the current season. Thomas Schaaf's men were gifted the lead in the 64th minute when Felipe headed past his own keeper and the German side looked likely to take all three points back home until four minute from time when substitute Antonio Di Natale grabbed an equaliser for last seasons Serie A runners-up Udinese Calcio.

 

30,000 fans at the Stadio Friuli in Udine saw Werder make the more concentrated start with Nelson Valdez, who replaced the suspended Ivan Klasnic in the starting line-up, having the early chances (6', 7'). The Green-Whites had their work cut out for them though trying to break down the Italian defence under the guidance of the very experienced Roberto Sensini (39). The visitors one and only telling chance of the first half fell just before the break when a determined Johan Micoud drove a shot from distance against the angle of post and crossbar.

 

Green-Whites celebrate Felipe own goal

 

The home side had few openings of their own and those which did occur were most often foiled by Werders well drilled off-side trap. On just two occasions was Andreas reinkes goal threatened. Firstly Di Michele fluffed his chance alone with only Reinke to beat after Werder lost the ball in the midfield (33') and five minutes later Vincenzo Iaquinta couldn't find the net after the Werder keeper cleverly narrowed the angle.

 

The German league leaders attempted to up the tempo again after the break but failed to create telling opportunities. The Hanseatic side would have to wait until the 64th minute before Lady Luck shined upon them. Christian Schulz swung a free-kick into the area from the right to find the head of Udinese defender Felipe who won the aerial battle but turned the ball past his own keeper in to the bottom left hand corner.

 

Much to Werders dismay, the goal appeared to inspire the hosts into attack and the Italians drove the Werder defence further and further back with Werders only relief, a headed effort by Frank baumann from a corner which De Sanctis could easily gather (77'). Just previously, Andi Reinke was forced to make three attempts to snatch the ball after a shot from Paulo Barreto caused the keeper some difficulties (70').

 

Cosmi subs sinks Werder hearts

 

The Italian coach knew he was running out of time and threw on Antonio Di Natale and Stefano Mauri in search of at the very least an equaliser. The substitutes combined brilliantly as Mauri split the Werder defence with a pass into the path of Di Natale who perfectly placed his shot out of the reach of Reinke (86'). Neither side had much left in them and the tie finished in a relatively fair draw.

 

The point is of more use to the Italiens, now on four, than it is to Werder who stay bottom, three points adrift of Udinese and Panathinaikos who drew 0:0 at home with FC Barcelona.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

 

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