The second round of games in the Bundesliga has started with a very similar set of results as the first round of games in the 2006/2007 season. As back in August, Werder started back in January with a hard fought win against Hanover 96, follwed by a win over Bayer Leverkusen before going down 2:0 to Schalke 04, in a game the ‘Königsblauen’ (Royal Blues) deserved to win. With the up-coming tie against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, 10.02.2007, Werder have the chance to put a stop to the duplicate first and second round starts after the Green-Whites lost 2:3 at the Weser to the south German club in late summer 2006.
Back at the beginning of the season, Werder were cruising against their visitors from Stuttgart having taken the lead through a Hilbert own goal which was thendoubled by a well placed lob by Mohamed Zidan. Somehow though, the home side let their lead slip away from them. Hilbert, Pardo and Gomez turned the game for VfB who eventually ran out 2:3 winners. A win which proved a turning point in Stuttgart’s season after a poor start. VfB Stuttgart are currently third in the table and have left arch rivals Bayern Munich trailing behind them and are now zooming in on a position yet higher in the table. The south German sides result in Bremen was no exception though. Werder have failed to win in five of their last six home meetings with the Swabian club. Werder’s problems at home against Vfb are not mirrored on their travels though. Stuttgart have only managed one win in their last seven home clashes with Werder at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium. That one win was way back in April 2001when VfB ran out 2:1 winners.
“There have been many great games when VfB and Werder met”, remembers Green-White coach Thomas Schaaf. Three particular games spring to mind: The 2:1 win for Stuttgart in April 1986 which effectively cost Werder the championship. “I’ve put that one out of my mind”, smirked Schaaf. The coach will remember that it was just goal difference which robbed the Green-Whites of the title as Bayern Munich won 6:0 on the same day. Werder hearts will be lifted though when they recall a 3:0 win against VfB on the 34th match day of the 1993 season. On that occasion it was the north German side who snatched the title from the grasps of their Munich rivals. A more recent memory will be that of one of the best games in the history of the Bundesliga on March 28th 2004 when a 2:3 half-time deficit for Werder finished in a nail-biting 4:4 draw. It was a vital point win on the way to winning the championship.
Thomas Schaaf’s comments on his up-coming opponent could relate to any of the previous meetings of the two: “Stuttgart play confidently and bravely. They play offensive football, especially down the flanks where above all Ludovic Magnin has played his way into the starting eleven.” The ex-Werder full-back has a forgettable start, scoring an own goal against Nuremberg (1:4), but was decisive in providing the 1:0 winner against Dortmund. “The midfield are playing their part too with Hitzlsperger and da Silva. After their win in Dortmund, VfB will be going into the game against us full of confidence.”
Werder general manager Klaus Allofs is convinced the Stuttgart club are still within the small circle of possible title candidates: “We’ve always said, it won’t just be a two or three horse race for the title but a four horse race”. VfB are in with a shot and know that three points will see them move to within a point of the pre-Christmas table toppers.
On the subject of confidence. Few will be floating quite as high as VfB striker Marion Gomez. The young front man, just like Miroslav Klose, has scored eleven Bundeliga goals so far this season and to put the icing on his particular space, he scored in his full international debut against Switzerland on Wednesday evening. “He’s made a fantastic development and is headed in the right direction”, praised Thomas Schaaf who expects great things from the youngster, “He’s in really good form at the moment. He will have to prove what he can do over a long time period, but I trust him to do that.”
Miroslav Klose, Gomez’ opposite number on the Bremen team is “naturally a lot further along”, explained Thomas Schaaf. The top striker has been nursing an injured thumb since the Schalke tie but was back in team training on Thursday and looks a perspective starter for Saturday. Schaaf commented: “I think the problem is improving and I feel he will be available at the weekend.”
In another position, Thomas Schaaf has now clarity: “Tim Wiese will play”, announced the coach who was also quick to praise the performances of Wiese’s stand in Andreas Reinke: “We were very happy with him and are delighted to have such people to fall back on.” The return to Stuttgart is a very special one for Reinke. A year ago on Saturday, Reinke underwent major surgery after a severe head injury which he picked up against VfB in their 0:0 draw last season: “It’ll be my first birthday “, joked Reinke.