A Question Of Priorities

First Team
Wednesday, 14.03.2007 / 14:44

Despite the 1:0 cushion from the first leg which has laid a positive foundation for progression. Despite Werder’s recent positive results. Despite Celta Vigo finding themselves locked in a relegation battle at the foot of the Spanish Primera Divisíon whichn could cloud their vision.

Despite the 1:0 cushion from the first leg which has laid a positive foundation for progression. Despite Werder’s recent positive results. Despite Celta Vigo finding themselves locked in a relegation battle at the foot of the Spanish Primera Divisíon whichn could cloud their vision – noone at Werder is planning for the quarter final of the UEFA Cup just yet. “Vigo will put a team out who want to achieve something”, said Werder coach Thomas Schaaf and continued: “No matter what formation they play.” With respect to their currently precarious position, sixteenth in the Spanish league and dangerously close to the drop zone, no one is quite sure just how seriously Celta Vigo are now taking the UEFA Cup competition.

 

“They apparently had a number of missing players in the home game – no matter, we’ll be preparing for the best that the Spaniards have to offer. We will be informed and ready”, explained Schaaf. Werder may be as well prepared as possible about their opponent and the individuals available to them but there would appear to some discrepancies as to what exactly to expect: “How strong are our opponents, what will they allow, what can they produce?”, questions which plyed an important roll for Thomas Schaaf during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The coach was clear though: “No one will be underestimated, our opponents demand respect.” The players are in agreement with their coach. Brazilian playmaker Diego commented: “They’ll be no pushover. We’ll have to give our all if we are to be successful.” Per Mertesacker urged his team mates not to rely on the advantage from the first leg: “That’s just not possible at this level, and it’s also an important game for the Bundesliga. Vigo will provide a spring board for the up-coming Mainz clash and the following tasks ahead.

 

That will only be the case if Werder can make a return to the kind of form that the whole Bundesliga were discussing early in the season. Thomas Schaaf is not yet convinced that Werder are back on their own level just yet but he saw the game in the Estadio Balaídos as an opportunity to make a start in the right direction. “We were there where we should be but just lacked a little in our effectivity”, summed up the coach. That should all change on Wednesday: “They’ll probably be defensive here too”, remarked Diego “We can’t afford to let them score.” Thomas Schaaf agrees: “On the occasions that Celta were effective this season they managed that coming out of defensive positions. That is their strength. They have no reason the launch everything into attack here.” It’s possible that Werder could create less chances at home as they did in Spain? “It’s not about the number of chances you have but rather about making use of the ones you get – as against Bayern, that would be perfect”, explained Diego.

 

Vázquez plays his cards close to his chest

 

Celta Vigo trainer Fernando Vázquez was not willing to release too much information following his sides final training session on Tuesday: “It will be extremely difficult to make up the 0:1 deficit against an offensively strong side here at the Weser Stadium. For the prestige alone it would be nice to progress.” The visitors are currently troubled by personnel issues. Iriney, Contreras, Oubina and De Ridder were all left home in Spain and the strikers Baiano and Nunez are both carrying knocks : “Our priority is of course survival in the league”, explained Ferandez and went on “We have a tough tie at the weekend against second placed FC Sevilla. We’ll see tomorrow if there will be some players rested up for that game.”

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