Werder Bremen impressively brushed Borussia Mönchengladbach aside with a 3:0 (3:0) win at the Weser Stadium and once again joined the clubs at the top of the Bundesliga. The result marked the end of Werder's negative run of six games without a win.
Werder Bremen impressively brushed Borussia Mönchengladbach aside with a 3:0 (3:0) win at the Weser Stadium and once again joined the clubs at the top of the Bundesliga. The result marked the end of Werder's negative run of six games without a win.
Werder Bremen impressively brushed Borussia Mönchengladbach aside with a 3:0 (3:0) win at the Weser Stadium and once again joined the clubs at the top of the Bundesliga. The result marked the end of Werder's negative run of six games without a win.
Prior to the game, trainer Thomas Schaaf was forced to make a change to the side which performed so amicably in the Champions League against FC Barcelona. The injury which Tim Borowski picked up meant he would have to sit the tie out with Christian Schulz moving into the midfield position and Pierre Womé replacing 'Schulle' at the back. Central defender Per mertesacker made his Bundesliga debut in the Green-White of Werder Bremen.
Gladbach close quickly
"Gladbach will be compact", commented Thomas Schaaf before the game and the trainers comment proved true with Borussia defending deeply early on and waiting for the chance to counter attack. Aaron Hunt, who performed so strongly against Barcelona, was once again in the starting eleven and although he broke through on the left twice, his attempted crosses eluded strike partner Miroslav Klose (8', 10'). The home teams first shot on goal from Womé also provided no real threat to Kasey Keller's goal (14').
This was all to change five minutes later. Corner Diego, Mertesacker got the knock on to Christian Schulz but the young German international could redirect an awkward ball back on goal. The game took a turn for the better at this point and naldo had to twice be alert to clear from Polanski and Thijs. At the other end Hunt played through to Klose who beat two defenders but couldn't get past Keller. Werder began to turn on the style and looked not dissimilar to the side which played so impressively over long periods of last season.
Five stunning minutes decide the game
Diego was stopped at the last second by Zé Antonio (27') and Hunt narrowly missed out on a perfect cross from Torsten Fings (28') during a phase that look destined to produce a goal. The 38,000 packed into the Weser Stadium wouldn't have to wait much longer to celebrate.
A Naldo 'Hammer' on the half hour set the steaks for a five minute period which would decide the game. The Brazilian drove a 20 meter free-kick goalwards and Keller was only able to bat the ball down into his penalty area where Aaron Hunt accepted the gift and gave the Green-Whites the lead. Two minutes later the next wave of attack was launched on the Gladbach goal. Hunt crossed from the left towards Daniel Jensen, who had come for the injured captain Frank Baumann. The Dane let the pass go through to a solid Christian Schulz who picked out hid spot with the outside of his boot - 2:0.
The Werder fans were really being spoiled now and barely had time to take a breath before they could celebrate again. The next free-kick came in the 38th minute but this time Werder selected another variation. Naldo stepped over the ball and let Diego chip the ball perfectly to wrong foot Keller and give Werder a very comfortable 3:0 half time lead.
First clean sheet of the season
The story of the second half doesn't take long to tell The game was decided and Werder took their foot decidedly off the pedal but never lost control of the match. The Green-Whites did get lucky in the 51st minute though as the Borussia substitute Kluge passed to Delura whose shot was turned against the crossbar by Tim Wiese.
The game slowed and slowed but the 'Mexican Waves' around the stadium didn't with the fans in party mood and three points all but secured. Keeper Tim Wiese had extra reason to enjoy the game after a further save from a Delura effort - the first clean sheet of season for Werder.
Frings and Zidan both missed chances late on to score a fourth but the comfortable win saw Werder spring up to second in the Bundesliga table. More important was the signal sent by the win against a team who had to be beaten. The Green-Whites took the positives from their Champions League tie on Wednesday and transformed that into three Bundesliga points.
