"The Crème de là Crème of Football At The Weser Stadium"

First Team
Friday, 25.08.2006 / 15:11

Could it have possibly been a more attractive draw? The draw for the 2006/2007 Champions League unleashed a string of emotions among the Werder Bremen staff ranging from a shaking of heads, stunned gasping, respect and anticipation.

Could it have possibly been a more attractive draw? The draw for the 2006/2007 Champions League unleashed a string of emotions among the Werder Bremen staff ranging from a shaking of heads, stunned gasping, respect and anticipation. No one at the club could have dreamed of planning to play English champions FC Chelsea and Spanish champions anf Champions League title holders FC Barcelona in the coming months. To add to the difficulty of the group, Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia were also pitted in Group A.

 

"We have two top favourites for the Champions League title in our group", commented headcoach Thomas Schaaf with a view to the up-coming tasks. The trainer received the result of the draw by telephone on the way to the team hotel in Essen. The Green-Whites are staying at the hotel prior to their clash with FC Schalke 04. With a view to progressing to the latter stages of the tournament Schaaf said: "Every one is reckoning with just Chelsea and Barcelona playing out first and second place in the group which means us having to battle it out with Sofia for third place - we intend to frustrate th favourites a little though. It's an interesting task."

 

Werders chairman of the board of management Jürgen L. Born, who followed the draw live at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco along with team manager Klaus Allofs and press director Timo Polster glowed: "The absolute 'Crème de là Créme of world football will be at the Weser Stadium, that'll be a real festival for the team and our fans. These games are a fantastic opportunity for us to improve our value in Europe yet further. We will really have to prepare well if we are to overcome this challenge."

 

Although Werder have two of the top teams in Europe in their group - they have no reason to hide and Klaus Allofs is convinced of it: "We have no complexes. Those who play in the Champions League must be prepared to face the best and we have the opportunity to do that", commented the ex-German international. "Naturally we're the underdogs but we're not without a chance. There are always surprises in football. We want to make it to the second round." The manager is especially looking forward to the visit of Barcelona: "We played two very good games against Barcelona last season but couldn't pic up a point. Since then the teams have developed yet further." Four of the five players awarded prizes for their performances in the Champions League last season were from the Spanish club. Ronaldinho, defender Carlos Puyol, midfield playmaker Deco and striker Eto'o were selected along with Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann as top players of the last season. Klaus Allofs added: "That says it all about the kind of quality Barcelona possess." The manager also sees the challenge they face against English champions Chelsea: "With Michael Ballack now in their side it makes the game against Chelsea all the more interesting." Werder were also warned not to take the Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia too lightly. "A very unpredictable opponent", noted Allofs.

 

Captain Frank Baumann reacted to the draw with the wink of an eye: "We are happy to take on the roll of favourites in our group. No, but seriously, it's a fantastic task. Of course it'll be very difficult, facing the top club teams in the world, but we'll do all in our power to progress from the group." German international Tim Borowski insured that Werder will go into the Champions League confidently: "We got a tough group but we know how strong we are and because of that we rate our chances even against these kind of tems."

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