Desperate Disappointment

First Team
Thursday, 28.09.2006 / 09:02

Like dominoes, the Werder players sank to the ground in the 89th minute. Lionel Messi had just scored a last gasp equaliser for the visitors from Barcelona and denied the Werder faithful the greatest party in years.

Like dominoes, the Werder players sank to the ground in the 89th minute. Lionel Messi had just scored a last gasp equaliser for the visitors from Barcelona and denied the Werder faithful the greatest party in years. Seconds before the Green-Whites had been leading 1:0 and despite quickly draining energy reserves still managed to put on a top class performance against the current Champions League title holders. "Two minutes made the difference, that's extremely disappointing", concluded striker Miroslav Klose. >b>Christian Schulz added: "It's just like a defeat, that's how it feels in the changing rooms right now. Sure they put the pressure on in the last 20 minutes and introduced some fresh legs but they never had a real 100% chance. We should have beaten them."

 

General manager Klaus Allofs can very much understand the frustration of the players: "Maybe before the game we would have been satisfied with the 1:1 but on the night we were the better side over long periods and had chances to make it 2:0 - that is bitter." The mamager continued: "We kept the Spaniards at bay and away from our area for most of the game but couldn't manage that in the final stages. We were powering up and down for 89 minutes, were involved in so many challenges. It's normal that by the end of that you make mistakes." Klaus Allofs was quick to note: "Barcelona have the opportunity to bring players like Messi and Zambrotta from the bench."

 

Per Mertesacker had an insight into why there was such a massive energy deficit: "The style of play which Barcelona practice, long balls over the top, wide attacks often with two or more players, quick flank changes, that is realy challenging to cope with. It's especially tough on a midfielder like Torsten Frings who has to switch with the play all the time." The German international also spotted a further reason for the conceded goal: "You could see by the end that there were a number of us who were drained and no longer able to make the challenges. We couldn't even foul Messi which would have been the easiest thing to do in that situation."

 

Head coach Thomas Schaaf praised his men right after the final whistle of an energy sapping evening: "I could name eleven 'Men of the Match' in our side. They all had something to offer to the game and battled for each other. Of course we are disappointed now, we played excellently, with passion and desire, but couldn't manage to take our just rewards. I really feel sorry for the lads." The trainer is sure that despite the defeat his side can take a lot of positives from the match: "This game can give us a lift. We experienced a game of football that we really could enjoy - the fanst got just what they expected. We proved ourselves against a top class team, thats the important thing. I saw a lot of positives and I will be passing that on. I can feed the team with that and make the next few difficult days a little more acceptable."

 

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was not at all surprised by Werder's strength at home: "There are no easy games. We had our problems here in Bremen last season. For that reason it is a good result for us and we can be satisfied with that. It wasn't the best Barca performance. Werder created a lot of pressure at the start played well going forward and battled determinedly. At the end we had 15 or 20 strong minutes which we played well and battle during. It was a great goal by Messi - it was the fruit of our efforts and at the end of the day we deserved it."

 

Johnnie Muldoon

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