Under The Flood-Lights 'AufSchalke'

First Team
Friday, 25.08.2006 / 11:02

Just as last weekend, Werder Bremen will again be involved in the top game of the weekend. On Friday, 25.08.2006, the Green-Whites will play FC Schalke 04 at 8:30pm at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

Just as last weekend, Werder Bremen will again be involved in the top game of the weekend. On Friday, 25.08.2006, the Green-Whites will play FC Schalke 04 at 8:30pm at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. For Werder it's an oportunity to make history by taking nine points from the first three games of the season and at the same time break their duck of six defeats on the trot at Schalke in the Bundesliga, DFB-Cup and League Cup.

 

"Over the last couple of years we have come close to taking the points from Gelsenkirchen and we will do all in our power to win a clash between two top teams", explained captain Frank Baumann. Torsten Frings is also confident prior to the tie with the UEFA Cup participant. "We're strong away from home and I'm convinced that we can win this time around", continued the German international. Trainer Thomas Schaaf is also convinced that his side can overcome the 'Knappen' who after a stumbling start will be determined to get back on track: "You can present yourself against us and take a step forward, they will want to do that", said the 46 year old.

 

The anticipation prior to the game is great with a duel between "Two teams with high expectations", in the words of Schaaf who is looking forward to Werder's first Friday night game since 09.03.2001 when they played Bayer Leverkusen. Baumann: "That's always a really special event that everyone is looking forward to. Games under floodlights add an extra kick". Schaaf is looking forward to the match too: "We've often performed very well playing in the evening."

 

Schalke added to their side in pre-season with Halil Altintop from 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Peter Lövenkrands from Glasgow Rangers, Mathias Abel from FSV Mainz 05 as well as Markus Heppke, Timo Kunert, Dennis Lamczyk and Mesut Özil from their own youth side. At the same time they also lost two vital players in Christian Poulsen (FC Seville) and Ebbe Sand (career end). The 'Knappen' also lost Mimoun Azaouagh (FSV Mainz 05), Christofer Heimeroth (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Joseph Laumann (Rot-Weiß Ahlen), Thomasz Waldoch (Karriereende) along with Marco van Hoogdalem and Thomas Kläsener (both Rot-Weiss Essen).

 

Schalke will definately be without the services of Mladen Krstajic (suspension), Christian Pander (knee-operation) and Frank Rost (cut on shin). A question hands over the availability of Dario Rodriguez (muscle problem) and Soren Larsen (thigh injury). Werder coach Thomas Schaaf has a full squad at his disposal with the only exception being Per Mertesacker who is still in rehabilitation after a heel operation in July.

 

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