It wasn't to be the night of another 'Werder-Wonder', rather another night of astounding individualism in Barcelona as the Catalan sides star-studded ensemble beat Werder Bremen 3:1 on match day five in Champions League Group C.
It wasn't to be the night of another 'Werder-Wonder', rather another night of astounding individualism in Barcelona as the Catalan sides star-studded ensemble beat Werder Bremen 3:1 on match day five in Champions League Group C.
It wasn't to be the night of another 'Werder-Wonder', rather another night of astounding individualism in Barcelona as the Catalan sides star-studded ensemble beat Werder Bremen 3:1 on match day five in Champions League Group C.
Werder coach Thomas Schaaf saw no need to make any changes to the side which won 6:1 against VfL Wolfsburg, contrary to his colleague Frank Rijkaard who made four changes to the team which brushed Real Madrid aside with a 3:0 win last Saturday. Strikers Giuly and Henrik Larsson replaced Eto'o and Messi with Gabri and Motta filling in for Edmilson and Xavi. Gabri took his chance to justify his selection after just fourteen minutes much to Werders dismay. Ronaldinho took out the whole Bremen defence with a stunning pass from the midfield to pick out the run of Gabri who was able to control the ball on his chest before slipping his left footed shot past Andreas Reinke and into the far right hand corner of the net. Prior to taking the lead, the home team had had two good chances to take the lead. Henrik Larsson came close with a lob in the first minute and shortly afterwards Ludovic Giuly came close too (4').
Werder wake-up call
Werder seemed to be shaken into life after the goal and almost came up with an immediate answer. Miroslav Klose put Nelson Valdez on his way but the striker was under pressure and failed to get a full contact with his attempt and the Barca keeper Victor Valdes could turn the ball away for a corner. The Green-Whites then received their reward for their efforts. Klose dispossessed Carles Puyol and fed Johan Micoud who played a one-two with Klose, but on collecting the return ball Micoud was rudely stopped in his tracks by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, leaving Danish referee Claus Bo Larsen no choice but to award the penalty. Tim Borowski took on the responsibility, foxed Valdes in the Barcelona goal and levelled the scores, much to the elation of some 6,000 Werder fans who had made the long journey (22').
The Green-White joy proved all too short as four minutes later, superstar Ronaldinho put his side back in front with a free kick from the right. The Brazilian swung his cross come shot into the box and without any further contact, Andreas Reinke totally misjudged the flight of the ball and without much effort, the home side were back in front - 2:1. Barcelona took control of proceedings proving tight at the back whilst always looking dangerous on the attack. Reinkes quick reflections were neccessary in denying a flying header from Larsson (38') and the Werder keeper was happy to see Guily miscue a square pass to the 'Super-Swede' Larsson who was alone on goal just two minutes later.
Bitter injury for Miro Klose
Werder profitted from the Catalan side retreating into defence after the break. Torsten Frings delivered a driven cross into the box and Klose rose to meet the ball, heading just wide of the mark (55'). To add insult to injury, Klose clashed with Rafael Marquez in the air so heavily that he could take no further part having suffered a bad cheek injury (55').
Aaron Hunt replaced the German international and didn't take long to get involved but firstly the 19 year old had to watch on as another perfect pass from Ronaldinho this time found Larsson who could take the pass in his stride, slip marker Frank Fahrenhorst and clip the ball with his right past Reinke - 3:1 (71').
Werder continued to try their luck in the closing phases but were unable to find a goal to give them hope. Hunt found himself with only the keeper to beat after some wonderful combination football between Micoud and Borowski but was denied by the on-rushing Valdes (76'). In added time, the Barca keeper had to block down a Torsten Frings drive but Tim Borowski came just a tick too late to convert the loose ball and Valdes was able to smother. The Primera Division leaders held on to take a highly deserved win and guaranteed topping Group C. The Green-Whites final chance of proceeding will mean having to beat Panathinaikos Athens at the Weser Stadium while hoping that Barcelona do them a favour in Udinese.
Johnnie Muldoon
FC Barcelona - Werder Bremen 3:1
FC Barcelona: Victor Valdes - Oleguer, Puyol, Marquez (74. Belletti), van Bronckhorst - Gabri (77. Iniesta), Motta, Deco - Giuly (65. Ezquerro), Larsson, Ronaldinho
Werder Bremen: Reinke - Owomoyela, Fahrenhorst, Naldo, Schulz - Baumann - Frings, Borowski - Micoud - Valdez, Klose (59. Hunt)
Goals: 1:0 Gabri (14.), 1:1 Borowski (22., Foulelfmeter), 2:1 Ronaldinho (26.), 3:1 Larsson (71.)
Referee: Larsen (Dänemark)
Attendance :Camp Nou, 45.000 Zuschauer
Gelbe Karten: Marquez - Fahrenhorst
