The Werder internationals were back to training on Friday after having done their national duty in midweek and were ready to prepare for the tie against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The Werder internationals were back to training on Friday after having done their national duty in midweek and were ready to prepare for the tie against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The Werder internationals were back to training on Friday after having done their national duty in midweek and were ready to prepare for the tie against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Torsten Frings, who had been complaining with a groin problem after the match in Italy, got through training without a problem. "The problems actually came from my back but it's all cleared up now, I expect to play in Leverkusen", explained the 29 year old midfielder.
Miroslav Klose, who was happy to get a full 90 minutes of international football under his belt, was very clear on the importance of Saturday's game: "Bayern are playing HSV and Schalke are in Hanover - if we don't lose in Leverkusen then things are looking good for us." The German striker is aware though that the tie against Bayer will be no push over: "It's a game between two good attacking teams - it's not just us in good form, the Leverkusen strikers are in good form too."
One exemption from the team will be defender Naldo. The Brazilian has been suffering from adductoral problems since the start of the week. The decision was made shortly before the trip to leave the 24 year old at home. Trainer Thomas Schaaf: "We'll have to wait and see if he'll be available for us against Juventus on Tuesday." Captain Frank Baumann is also out of the reckoning with a tear in a knee ligament.
While his team mates prepared for the game on Saturday, goalkeeper Andreas Reinke underwent an individual training session with physio Stefan Wolters.
The following 17 players will be making the journey to Leverkusen: Wiese, Vander, Owomoyela, Fahrenhorst, Pasanen, Andreasen, Schulz, van Damme, Frings, Jensen, Micoud, Vranjes, Borowski, Lagerblom, Valdez, Klasnic, Klose.
