Werder Surge Past Celta

First Team
Thursday, 15.03.2007 / 10:46

For the first time since the 1999/2000 season, Werder Bremen have reached the quarter final stage of the UEFA Cup. In the second leg of the last sixteen knock-out round of the tournament, the Green-Whites eliminated Spanish league strugglers Celta Vigo winning the home leg 2:0 (0:0).

For the first time since the 1999/2000 season, Werder Bremen have reached the quarter final stage of the UEFA Cup. In the second leg of the last sixteen knock-out round of the tournament, the Green-Whites eliminated Spanish league strugglers Celta Vigo winning the home leg 2:0 (0:0). After a 1:0 win in Garicia, Werder progress now to join the last eight in the competition. A 35,300 strong crowd at the Weser Stadium saw second half goals from Hugo Almeida (48’) and Clemens Fritz make the difference on the night.

 

Once agains Werder coach Thomas Schaaf had to make do without the services of top striker Miroslav Klose who is still recovering from the back injury he picked up against VfL Bochum. The result was that the trainer fielded the same eleven which drew 1:1 with Bayern Munich at the weekend, with just one exception. Having suffered a thigh injury against Bayern on Sunday, Daniel Jensen was forced out and replaced wide on the left by Christian Schulz. Torsten Frings moved out to the left to allow Jurica Vranjes to fill the roll in front of the back four.

 

Poor first period

 

The fans were presented with a disoriented tie throughout the first 45 minutes during which Werder failed to create any real chances on goal. In the 11th minute a combination between Frings and Diego fell to Christian Schulz who drove a shot in from 20 meters but the effort proved somewhat off the mark and failed to test the Vigo keeper. The first half was generally characterised by the failed efforts of both sides to force their way into the oppositon penalty area.

 

One of the few exceptions in the first period was a break down the right by Frings. The midfielder picked out Hugo Almeida in the box and delivered a perfect cross for the Portuguese striker but the effort proved no challenge for the Celta keeper Esteban (22’). The keeper had to be quick off his line to clear the danger on more than one occasion with long passes toward Almeida (19’) and Frings (40’) catching the visitors defence somewhat stranded. Celta’s only sight of goal in the first period came through a long distance effort from Jorges which spun well off target. At the other end Schulz again had the opportunity to give Werder the half time lead but having gotten on the end of a Hugo Almeida cross, the left footer couldn’t turn his effort back goalwards (40’).

 

After the re-start Werder up the tempo. One major factor in this was the introduction of substitute Kevin Schindler. The amateur striker from Werder’s reserves replaced Aaron Hunt at half time to make his full first team debut. The youngster made an immediate impact. With just three minutes of the second half played, the 18 year old burst down the left and crossed perfectly for Almeida who had escaped his marker and beat Eskeban to head Werder into the lead (48’).

 

Super Fritz sinks Celta

 

The Celta keeper had looked poor in his effort to come and punch clear before Almeida’s goal but Eskeban was soon after impressive in turning a shot from Diego, from just 15 meters out, over spectacularly for a corner (49’). Naldo then had a header cleared off the goal line from the resulting set piece (51’). On the break the Spanish side though they had drawn level as Jesus Perera put the ball past Tim Wiese but had his goal disallowed by referee Stefano Farina for offside. Instead of on level terms, Vigo soon found themselves with a two goal deficit to deal with. Esteban was able to avert the danger created by Diego breaking through but was helpless to stop Clemens Fritz low, driven shot which nestled in the bottom left hand corner. The right full-back had stolen the ball from Nene and then jinked past Lequi on a mazy solo run before making it 2:0 (61’).

 

While Schindler (65’), Almeida (71’) and Wome (90+1) all missed chances to extend Werder’s lead, Tim Wiese had to earn his keep making saves from Nene (68’) and (Pereras (83’). Werder progress to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup having now chalked up a four four game European run without conceding a goal.

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