Just like Werders’s Thomas Schaaf, Ernesto Valverde, the trainer from Espanyol Barcelona, has also won the European Cup Winners Cup. Whilst at FC Barcelona, his current clubs closest rivals, he won the trophy in 1989.
Just like Werders’s Thomas Schaaf, Ernesto Valverde, the trainer from Espanyol Barcelona, has also won the European Cup Winners Cup. Whilst at FC Barcelona, his current clubs closest rivals, he won the trophy in 1989.
Just like Werders’s Thomas Schaaf, Ernesto Valverde, the trainer from Espanyol Barcelona, has also won the European Cup Winners Cup. Whilst at FC Barcelona, his current clubs closest rivals, he won the trophy in 1989. Now, just like Schaaf, he intends to repeat the success as a trainer. The coach from the Catalan club spoke to werder.de about his sides chances against Werder Bremen.
Mr. Valverde, did it worry you at all when your side were drawn out against Werder Bremen?
Well, Werder Bremen would appear to be quite a tough challenge. The team have come from the Champions League and they’re still battling for the Bundesliga title. In my opinion, Werder are one of the favourites in both the UEFA Cup and the Bundesliga.
Are you familiar with Werder’s style of play or have you had to pay them particular attention of late?
I knew Werder before. They are one of the biggest teams in Germany and have often participated in European competitions. Their games are regularly televised. We of course payed particular attention to how they faired this season against teams from the Primera Divison, such as FC Barcelona and Celta Vigo.
What has been the result of what you have seen so far, will their be a special preparation ahead of the tie?
No, I’ll be preparing the team just as I have done all along. It’s the semi final of the UEFA-Cup and so we are working to see to it that the team perform well, play with ambition and not give in. We know that it won’t be easy but we are still hopeful of reaching the final.
Have you personally seen Werder play at the Weser Stadium yet?
No, I’ve never been in Bremen.
What have your scouts reported to you about Bremen? Where do they see the Green-Whites strengths?
I have been told that Werder, above all, are very strong going forward and are dangerous from set pieces. We’ll have to be alert to that.
Do you believe that Werder could take the title, despite the dominance of Spanish clubs in the competition this season?
The Bundesliga is one of the strongest leagues in Europe. German sides are physically very robust, they are very consistant and difficult to beat. It has been clear to see throughout the tournament that Werder have what it takes to make it right the way through to the last.
That’s very complimentary but your players want to deny Bremen that. Who is favourite, Werder or Espanyol?
I wouldn’t like to name a favourite although I have considered what progressing to the final would mean. I am optimistic. I know we have a tough opponent but I think the chances are 50-50. We intend to make use of our ambition and enthusiasm in order to reach the final.
Then we would see an all Spanish final. Would that be at all special?
The draws so far have seen to it that three Spanish teams are still in the competition as they haven’t had to face each other yet. That is a symbol of the quality of our league. FC Sevilla currently hold the UEFA Cup title, Osasuna qualified for the Champions League last year and made it through the group phase. Then there is us as Spanish cup winners. I’m sure all three Spanish clubs are delighted to be in a position to make it to the final – no matter who their opponents are.
Johnnie Muldoon
