Meyer's Men A Genuine Hurdle

First Team
Saturday, 07.04.2007 / 10:40

The press in Nuremberg have been speaking of a 'Top-Game' in the Bundesliga ahead of he clash between FCN and Werder Bremen at the Weser Stadium on Sunday, 08.04.2007 (5pm kick-off).

The press in Nuremberg have been speaking of a 'Top-Game' in the Bundesliga ahead of he clash between FCN and Werder Bremen at the Weser Stadium on Sunday, 08.04.2007 (5pm kick-off). The comments may be taken with a pinch of salt but the fact is that a lot of truth is said in jest. The 'Club' have performed above and beyond the expectations of the whole league and the 'Franken-Giant' would appear to have been awoken. For Nuremberg it's all about snatching a UEFA Cup spot away from Bayer Leverkusen where as for Werder Bremen, the title is still within grasping distance. Second placed Werder need the three points against the leagues sixth place side to secure their own position, or even improve it.

 

Stunning season, amazing results

 

Considering the importance of gaining points at this stage of the season, there are more thankful opponents than trainer Hans Meyer's Nuremberg. The veteran coach has formed the one time yo-yo club into a real threat to the top sides. 14th place at the end of the 2004/2205 season was followed by 8th spot last time around and now the next step is in sight. At the beginning of the season FCN stood at the peak of the crop for two match days and put together an impressive nine game unbeaten run. A shortlived drop in form, including a 2:1 home defeat by Werder, was then follwed by a stunning eleven game run without defeat including a 3:2 win against Leverkusen, 4:1 win over Stuttgart and a 3:0 thrashing of Bayern Munich at the easyCredit-Stadium. No wonder that defender Andreas Wolf is heading to Bremen with all guns blazing: “We have always played better against the top teams.”

 

Most important for Nuremberg this season is their consistancy. The Franken club have suffered only four defeats, the best record in the league, and the years third best team will be in Bremen at the weekend – not to be taken lightly. “Nuremberg have made people sit up and take notice this season. They have a good side which has gelled very quickly”, explained Werder trainer Thomas Schaaf. Should the club manage to avoid so many spectacular draws, 14 in all, they could become a genuine contender.

 

Building from the back

 

Nuremberg also boast a fantastic record at the back, having conceded only 25 goals the 'Club' possess the best defence in the league. “They are very active at the back, extremely mobile and don't allow for many openings”, praised Schaaf. The coach continued: “They have the advantage of playing with the same defence for a long time now. Reinhardt, Wolf, Galesk and Pinola are a strong combination.” Dominik Reinhardt will not be available for the match in Bremen with a muscle injury. The defender will miss out for the very first time this season which leaves his replacement open for discussion. Thomas Schaaf is under no illusions though that the side will be weakened much by Reinhardts absence: “Even if one player is missing, he can be easily compensated. Recently Jan Polak has been a replacement for Robert Vittek.”

 

Focusing on the FCN attack. The Slovakian striker missed out on Nuremberg's last game through suspension but will be back in the fold to face Werder. Schaaf was also able to find praise for the 'Clubs' front men: “Even the strikers put in good defensive work. Nuremberg are very compact, it will be our job to pick holes and improve upon our recent difficulties in front of goal.” Per Mertesacker sees his opponents strengths as being far more than just confined to their own half: “It suits us that Nuremberg are a side who like to play the game. That will most likely lead to plenty of chances for both sides”. It will be the lofty centre halfs job to keep them at bay.

 

Good memories of yore

 

Those who Merte & Co. Will be facing at the back are not to be underestimated. The Russian Ivan Saenko has nine goals to his name so far this season with strike partner, and highly regarded, Markus Schroth boasting six to his name. On Sunday though, Werder would like to be the ones setting the offensive tone. “Werder will want to put pressure on us and create as many chances as possible to put the ball in the net, that is their strength”, exclaimed Hans Meyer. At home to Nuremberg, Werder have historically been very successful winning 16 of their 24 meetings at the Weser Stadium. In most recent times the Bremen side have won four on the trot, scoring 17 goals along the way. Last seasons clash finished 6:2 with a hat-trick for Klose, two for Klasnic and the odd goal for Tim Borowski. “In my opinion, Werder play good football with an attacking mentality. They create the majority of the chances and score most goals. That's fantastic to watch”, praised Meyer openly.

 

On Sunday, Werder will be able to fall back on Markus Rosenberg and Peter Niemeyer, who are both cup tied for the UEFA tournament: “There are still some questions as to Borowski, Schulz and Jensen and we'll have to wait until Sunday to see how they are and if they can play”, explained Thomas Schaaf. Pierre Wome is also carrying a knock since the Alkmaar tie: “Pierre has a bruised ankle but I hope he'll be okay for Sunday.”

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