Schalke 04...what a run!!! Werder’s most adept challengers visit the Weser Stadium on Sunday, 04.02.2007 on the back of a run of almost unfathomed consistency – in particular over the last ten games.
Schalke 04...what a run!!! Werder’s most adept challengers visit the Weser Stadium on Sunday, 04.02.2007 on the back of a run of almost unfathomed consistency – in particular over the last ten games.
Schalke 04...what a run!!! Werder’s most adept challengers visit the Weser Stadium on Sunday, 04.02.2007 on the back of a run of almost unfathomed consistency – in particular over the last ten games. Mirko Slomka’s side haven’t lost a single game since going down 3:0 to VfB Stuttgart back on 29.10.2006. Maybe it was the deafening hush of the fans, the turbulence surrounding the Veltins Arena, the decision to oust Frank Rost as keeper and replace him with Manuel Neuer or the correct choice of words that motivated the side, which then drew 2:2 with Bayern Munich, but whatever it was there followed 25 points from the next nine games. Only Nuremberg where able to deny the ‘Königsblauen’ with a 0:0 draw.
And now the showdown with Werder Bremen, a side displaying equally impressive results during the same period, with the exception of a defeat by Borussia Dortmund. “It’s first against second – there is no wonder that this game is drawing so much attention”, noted Thomas Schaaf, who continued: “They were always special games between the two and they always will be. We’re really looking forward to it.” The ‘Big Two’ have pulled away from the chasing pack and are both seven points clear of third placed Stuttgart, although both have had tough starts to 2007, when both equally successful. “Schalke did well to pull themselves back into the game against Aachen having gone behind to then turn the game on its head”, acknowledged Thomas Schaaf. Teams who can produce results under such circumstances often go on to win titles. Werder were equally blessed with luck against Hanover as they were against Leverkusen. “You can’t expect everything to function perfectly after such a long break, we are satisfied though and know that we can improve things and continue to get better”, assured Schaaf.
The Green-Whites will have to be on top form against Schalke, they’ll remember the last meeting of the two. Werder put on their arguably poorest performance of the current season and suffered a 2:0 defeat to Schalke in Gelsenkirchen. It was the only occasion throughout the season so far that Werder failed to put the ball in the opposition net. Kuranyi (Schalkes current top scorer with eight) and Hamit Altintop got the goals for the home side who then went on a point collecting rampage to which Klaus Allofs remarked: “They are a side endowed with great players, a real top team who we respect but don’t fear in any way.” Although the opponents plan to give Allofs something more to think about come Sunday evening, the Green-Whites are momentarily relaxed ahead of the tie. “It’s not exactly the match of the century”, explained Allofs, “Even our jump on Bayern could disappear over two, or three games. There are four teams who could win the championship.” Werder are currently well aware of the fact that a defeat won’t cost them the title nor will a win make things all clear. Allofs: “We of course hope to be dealing with the positive variation.”
Werder have a particularly positive record against Schalke, especially at the Weser Stadium. In the Bundesliga the current league leaders have won 25 of the two clubs 37 meetings in Bremen. In August 1999 Schalke scored the last of their mere seven wins on the Weser. Last April’s 0:0 draw between the two is only memorable for the free-for-all which lead to an extended suspension for Johan Micoud. Schalke are without doubt one of the sides that Werder enjoy playing and sport a healthy 11:5 win ratio over the past ten years – five games finished in draws.
The personnel situation is less than perfect for either club. Werder are still awaiting news on the fitness of keeper Tim Wiese and Andreas Reinke is waiting in the wings to “Prove himself”, in the words of Thomas Schaaf. With captain Frank Baumann still out through injury, the suspension of midfield engine Torsten Frings is all the more noticeable. The German international picked up a fifth yellow for descent against Leverkusen. “I wasn’t exactly happy about that but these things happen. He’s got to learn from it, I’ve put it behind me now. He’s not available to us and that’s that!”, said Thomas Schaaf on the issue. “We have other alternatives and there a couple of players who have shown they can play in that position. We are very flexible in the midfield.”
Schalke will be without their goal scorer from the Aachen game Rafinha (suspension), Christian Pander (ligament tear) and Gerald Asamoah (broken leg). On Friday afternoon there was still a question mark over the fitness of both Lincoln and Levan Kobiashvili.
No matter who plays or how the game finishes, the interest in the Bundesliga summit meeting is enormous. The game will be broadcast in 84 countries, captured by 25 television cameras located all over the stadium including above the stand on a crane and behind both goals. For all in Bremen hopes are high of a Green-White firework on Sunday evening.
