It never seems to let up for Werder Bremen. First the top challengers for the Bundesliga title, then no less than Ajax Amsterdam on the European stage in the UEFA-Cup and now it’s the historic northern derby with Hamburg SV.
It never seems to let up for Werder Bremen. First the top challengers for the Bundesliga title, then no less than Ajax Amsterdam on the European stage in the UEFA-Cup and now it’s the historic northern derby with Hamburg SV.
It never seems to let up for Werder Bremen. First the top challengers for the Bundesliga title, then no less than Ajax Amsterdam on the European stage in the UEFA-Cup and now it’s the historic northern derby with Hamburg SV. It’s a fixture that has always carried history and this year it’s no different. But the omen’s for both sides have changed.
On the 34th and final match day of last season, HSV and Werder met at the AOL-Arena in Hamburg for a spectacular ‘final’ game which would decide which side would qualify directly for the Champions League. Nine months later are HSV are rooted to the bottom of the table and desperate for every point to avoid dropping out of the top flight for the first time in the history of the Bundesliga. Werder on the other hand will want to make good of the confidence boosting win against Ajax to make up for the two recent Bundesliga defeats against title challenging opponents. “It’s our job to be there when the others are dropping points”, said general manager Klaus Allofs. Head coach Thomas Schaaf agrees and reiterated the clubs motto after the defeat by Stuttgart: “We can’t afford to drop any more points. Our opponents are strong and will get their points so the demands are on us.”
Those in charge at the Weser are challenge to the Werder eleven has not reduced: “It is the derby and as such is always a very special and emotional game with extreme demands on everyone”, noted Thomas Schaaf who doesn’t pay much attention to the opposing places in the table. Klaus Allofs is also unperturbed by the league positions going into the game: “The brisance has not reduced just because HSV are eighteenth and we are second. Neither we, nor HSV can afford to drop points – it doesn’t get much more explosive. And of course there is the issue of claiming the title of top team in the north.” Allofs and Schaaf are both convinced that last seasons runners-up will once again be able to solidify their status. At the same time, Allofs just can’t imagine HSV in the second division: “I am completely convinced that HSV will hold their own in the top flight – but that without the help of points from Bremen.”
There is not much reason for Hamburg to expect points from Bremen. HSV haven’t won in seven away games now, their last three pointer coming from a 2:1 win in Leverkusen in October. Only last weekend, with a 3:0 win against Dortmund, did HSV manage their second win of the season so far. A fresh wind has blown through Hamburg since Huub Stevens took over the reigns from Thomas Doll. The introduction of keeper Frank Rost, who came from Schalke during the winter break, has also boosted the Hamburg team.
It has been something of a cursed season for HSV with suspensions, bad luck, a disasterous Champions League campaign and the hex of the late equaliser. In Aachen, in Bielefeld, in Berlin – alone these three very late goals cost the Blue-Whites five vital points. “They have often cost themselves what they had worked so hard for. The recent success against Dortmund will have renewed hope and belief in themselves”, commented Thomas Schaaf, who is expecting a psychologically strengthened opponent.
Werder themselves have had to deal with a great deal of criticism since their defeats by Schalke and Stuttgart. There will be no need to panic (Schaaf: “We have always believed in our qualities”) or to be abashed by euphoria (“We still have to improve our effectiveness in front of goal”) going into the game on Saturday after their win over Ajax. “It’s important after two defeats to continue following our direction and that we learn from our mistakes. We have acknowledged the criticism and know we had to make changes – which we have done. We took things into our own hands again against Ajax, that will be important at the weekend.” The plan is to prevent HSV drawing level with Werder on the record sheet in the 86th meeting of the two. Currently Werder boast 27 wins, HSV 26. The two were last on level pegging in 2002. The 1:0 win for the Hamburg club was their only win in Bremen in the last 12 years.
That is how Thomas Schaaf will be intending things to stay, and his personnel situation has improved since Wednesday with Peter Niemeyer and Markus Rosenberg available for selection again. Tim Borowski was again unable to train on Thursday, leaving his possible involvement in doubt. Hugo Almeida (muscular problems) and Petri Pasanen (bruised foot) should be in the reckoning on Saturday despite resting up since the midweek game. Otherwise the tough tackling Dutch left no further impression on the Werder squad. Thomas Schaaf will be without Pierre Womé who picked up his fifth yellow of the season against VfB Stuttgart. On the HSV side, Huub Stevens has chosen to omit Danijel Ljuboja from his squad and will have to make do without Vincent Kompany (Achiles operation) and Guy Demel (muscle tear).
