Stability Is The Key To Unlock Cottbus

First Team
Friday, 30.03.2007 / 14:03

With the international break finally behind them, Werder Bremen know it will be no easy task when they take on Energie Cottbus on Saturday, 31.03.2007. Energie have a well balanced record against the Green-Whites

With the international break finally behind them, Werder Bremen know it will be no easy task when they take on Energie Cottbus on Saturday, 31.03.2007. Energie have a well balanced record against the Green-Whites (seven games, six wins, six defeats and one draw). From the ‘Stadion der Freundschaft (stadium of friendship), Werder have twice made their way back to Bremen empty handed. It’s no wonder that coach Thomas Schaaf is playing this one down and focusing on saftey first.

 

“We want to find the stability in our game again after the Bundesliga break”, admitted Schaaf. Stability in approach, stability in combination play but also stability at the back, against the Brandenburg side who have often proven unfathomable. Both Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Belin have learned that the hard way in recent ties, both losing to the unfancied Cottbus in their own back yards (BVB 2:3, Hertha 1:2). “They seem to again and again be able to deal with difficult situations and get the goal they need”, acknowledged Schaaf. At the Weser Stadium during the first half of the season, Energie managed a point with a fantastic goal by Francis Kioyo. What is it that makes Cottbus so strong? “Tactical efficiency, enthusiasm and dedication to the job in hand” – remarked Schaaf with respect for his opponent. Cottbus are no push over, a fact that many have learned to their peril since Energie joined the big league in 2000/2001, in particular in front of their own crowd. “They will have grown in confidence since the win in Berlin and will make life difficult for us, especially with the fans behind them. You can’t afford to let them catch you on the hop”, warned Schaaf.

 

During the course of the season, Cottbus have continued to surprise with a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs in the league table. “You can never write Cottbus off. They are constantly considered a candidate for relegation and have always managed to remain in the race”, explained Schaaf. Currently in eleventh place after three wins from their last four outings, the east German club are still just four points off the dreaded drop zone but have a potent strike force in Vlad Munteanu and Sergiu Radu, who have notched up 19 goals between them, to offer the club hope again this season. There are few problems for the team are at the other end of the pitch either, where the defence and keeper Tomislav Piplica have proven themselves to be top flight material. Cottbus, just as Werder, have managed seven clean sheets this season.

 

Thomas Schaaf has particular demands on his side: “We have to stick to our guns and play to our strengths”, were the words of a trainer who knows the class on hand within his team but he has warned that his men must be alert against Energie: “We can’t afford to offer them too many chances and we have to play things safe ourselves.” Stability in all areas is what the trainer sees as the key to taking three points away from Cottbus. At the same time on Saturday, Bayern Munich take on league leaders FC Schalke 04 but the Werder coach refuses to allow that game influence his thoughts. “We are concentrated on our game, it’s important that we perform well.” It will be no easy task for Schaaf to get his side all tugging the same line having had so many of his players flung far and wide on international duty this week: “We have our own goals to reach, then we can look forward to some suitable results from the other games”, was Schaaf’s final word on the issue.

 

The complete Green-White squad was back on board by Thursday afternoon with all of those on international duty back in Bremen. Naldo, Diego, Hugo Almeida and Markus Rosenberg were all back training with the team on Thursday, whilst Daniel Jensen, Clemens Fritz and Petri Pasanen will have until Friday to recharge their batteries. Peter Niemeyer won’t be available with an ankle injury and nor will Kevin Schindler who is suffering from a muscular problem. Cottbus coach Petrik Sender is not without his personnel worries. Sergiu Radu and Ervin Skela were back in training onb Thursday having returned from illness but neither is 100%. Igor Mitreski, Francis Kioyo and Mariusz Kukielka are all still questionable for Saturday whilst Zoltan Szelesi and Stiven Rivic will miss the match through suspension.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

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