One of the most eagerly awaited ties of the season will be the final game of the year at the Weser Stadium when Bremen receive a visit from Hamburg SV on Sunday, 18.12.2005 at 5:30pm. The stands around the Weser Stadium are expected to be packed with fans urging Werder on to leap frog their northern rivals into second place in the league table.
Only two points seperate Werder (35) and HSV (37). "Both sides are in good form this season and have shown good football", claims Thomas Schaaf. HSV possess the best defence in the league having conceeded just eight goals. Whether they can maintain this standard against the goal hungry Bremen side (45 goals) remains to be seen. "We have to be careful, their strenght lies in their tight defence where they are very active. They can also wait their time and hit on the counter", warned Schaaf.
HSV have only won one of their last ten appearances at the Weser Stadium - 1:0 in the 2001/2002 season. In a total of 41 home games for Werder, HSV have won just eight times in Bremen the sides drew 14 times with Werder picking up the full takings 19 times. It will be a difficult task for Thomas Doll's side to improve their record without the services of his Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart who misses out with a brocken ankle. Defender Daniel van Buyten is still convinced of his teams quality: "We are very close together and I think it will be the form on the day that makes the difference."
Werder too have a number of personnel issues to overcome. Tim Borowski is in rehab after his groin operation. Naldo and Christian Schulz (calf strain) were unable to take part in training until Thursday this week. The lofty Brazilian suffered a knock to his big toe against Cologne and is still badly bruised. "Until now he's only been up to some light jogging, the question is as to whether he can get into his football boots", according to trainer Thomas Schaaf.
Werder enter the tie with a great deal of confidence inspired by the current form of Miroslav Klose and Johan Micoud. "Joe is very consistant and noticeable with even more confidence after his goal in the last game. He is a clever player who always has an opponent hot on his heels but knows how to deal with it", praised Schaaf. The Frenchman has scored two goals and made a further five in his last three games.
The player who has profitted most from Micouds for is Miro Klose who is in the form of his career despite a recent operation. "He works his heart out for the team and is simply deadly in front of goal which we want to make as much use of as possible", commented the trainer prior to the last match of the year. Werders general manager Klaus Allofs is equally full of praise: "The manner in which he has developed is fantastic." The headcoach continued: "He knows himself that he's stronger and more secure all the time. It's not just us who profit from that but him too. Miro needs that self confidence to develop as a leader both on and off the pitch."
The striker intends to continue his flow on Sunday. Klose hammered home the expectations around Bremen by stating: "We are clear favourites against HSV, we're playing at home and are on top form."