The DFB Cup second round tie between Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday, 25.10.2005 at the Weser Stadium promises to be an exciting match. Although Werder remain unbeaten in the DFB cup at home for some 18 years, all four previous meetings between the two have had fans on the edge of their seats.
Four games, four close calls for Werder. Twice the two were forced into extra time to be seperated. 1987/1988 finished 5:4 and the double winning 2003/2004 season when Werder eventually won 3:1 after 120 minutes of play. It was also a close thing in the 1998/1999 season when a Marco Bode goal in the 52nd minute saw the Green-Whites proceed 1:0 but not without a nervous ending, when Werder keeper Frank Rost saved a Dammeier penalty in the 87th minute. Despite their difficulties in overcoming the 'Wolves', on the last two occasions, Bremen beat VfL and went on to win the tournament.
Trainer Thomas Schaaf is expecting another exciting meeting of the two clubs on tuesday evening: "It will by no means be easy to win against Wolfsburg. It was clear to see how strong they are against Schalke." Schaaf is particularly wary of the offensive power of the 'Factory' club. "They've a strong attack in Hanke and Klimowicz - they are compact and physically strong. The wide players play very far up the field and with D'Alessandro as a go between, they have a lot to offer up front."
It's no wonder that VfL are satisfied with their season to date and have shown constant improvement of late. Consistancy (4 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats) have seen VfL secure a spot in the upper midtable (7th). Last Saturday the Wolves managed a 0:0 against Schalke, after the previous weekends 1:0 win in Hamburg. VfL drew SC Paderborn in the first round of the DFB cup and won 2:0 with goals from Klimowicz and Hanke - the duo have also scored eight times during the current season.
General manager Klaus Allofs sees the difference in the demands upon the two sides as a possible cause for concern: "We face a team without international fatigue to tire them, but we have home advantage on our side." Trainer Schaaf hope the cup fever on the terraces can transfare over to his team: "The players know the DFB cup is something special, we take it very seriously. The cup is as important to us as a Champions League match. The final in Berlin is extremely motivating for everyone - we want to do what we can here to achieve that."
Johnnie Muldoon