Werder Roll Over Lazio In Champions League Clash

First Team
Thursday, 25.10.2007 / 11:02

Werder Bremen are back in business in the Champions League. Thanks to a strong, concentrated performance, the Green-Whites beat Lazio Rome 2:1 (1:0) to pick up their first three points in Group C.

Werder Bremen are back in business in the Champions League. Thanks to a strong, concentrated performance, the Green-Whites beat Lazio Rome 2:1 (1:0) to pick up their first three points in Group C. Boubacar Sanogo (28’) and Hugo Almeida (54’)were on target for the home side with Christian Manfredini netting a consolation for the Italians (82’) which created a nervy finish at the Weser Stadium. Thomas Schaaf’s men were forced into a battle but managed to hold on to all three points.

 

Determined opening and changes for the Green-Whites

 

Werder coach Thomas Schaaf kept the faith in the same eleven which started against Hertha BSC Berlin at the weekend and won 3:2. The game got off to a lively start and after just eleven minutes Naldo had a good chance with a header from a Diego free kick but the Brazilian defender headed over from close range. Two minutes later, Hugo Almeida was presented with a curious headed effort as verteran Lazion keeper Marco Ballotta attempted to throw the ball clear but somehow lobbed it skywards and the Portuguese striker got a header in which bounced away, just wide of the post.

 

The visitors had the next opportunity with a free-kick from Aleksander Kolarov which bounced wickedly in front of Tim Wiese and caused the keeper some problems but Clemens Fritz was able to head clear (18’). At the other end, Diego had a 20 yard free-kick deflected away for a corner (23’). The home side had the better of the play but had difficulties creating any clear openings. Werder’s Brazilian playmaker was again the next Green-White to get sight of goal but failed to connect cleanly and Ballotta was able to gather (25’). Just sixty seconds later the number ten struck a venomous shot just over the crossbar.

 

Sanogo on target, Diego with style

 

The third chance in as many minutes was eventually the one that would lead to the first goal of the game. In a pacy move forward, Frings played to Jensen who in turn picked out Diego. The Brazilian chipped a perfect pass into the path of Sanogo who shook off two defenders and slotted the ball past the keeper and the desperate efforts of a man on the line to make it 1:0 (28’). Two minutes later the game took on a slightly ugly facade when the Portuguese referee failed to blow for a foul on Daniel Jensen. The Italians failed to put the ball into touch with the Dane laid out on the deck and out of frustration, Petri Pasanen went crashing into his opposite man and picked up a yellow card for his troubles.

 

The home side were still in control but the visitors were not sitting back and accepting the situation. Werder had two further chances to extend their lead, the most spectacular coming from Diego who controlled the ball with his back to the goal and acrobatically scissors kicked over the crossbar (34’). Ten minutes later, Clemens Fritz had a clear shot on goal turned away by Ballotta at the last moment. After the break, the Italians appeared to have learned from their passive first half approach and attacked the ball much higher up the pitch to narrow the room Werder could play in. The Green-Whites switched their game plan from working through the middle to using the flanks and a quick break by substitute Dusko Tosic found Almeida in the box but the striker couldn’t find the target (48’).

 

Fritz and Almeida combine, Wiese in top form

 

The next break went down the right and Clemens Fritz burst forward, playing an unintentional one-two with Kolarov before hitting a powerful cross into the centre where Almeida was perfectly placed to slam into the net and make it 2:0 for Werder (54’). The Rome club launched an offensive and although Wiese was untroubled by Tommaso Rocchi’s shot (56’), the Werder keeper had to produce a mighty safe to deny Goran Pandev, who had the goal at his mercy (62’). Minutes later, Mutarelli had a chance to put his side back in with a fighting chance but pulled his shot wide of the mark. At the other end, Diego (70’) and Borowski (72’) both had chances to put the game well and truly beyond Lazio but without any joy.

 

The game was to take a late turn against Werder when Tim Wiese was only able to parry a Kolarov free-kick back into his own penalty area where Christian Manfredini was perfectly placed to hammer the ball back goal wards and beat the Werder keeper to make it 2:1. It was all too little, too late for a rather harmless Lazio side and Thomas Schaaf’s men had little real trouble securing the three points to surpass the Italian’s and close the gap on Piräus.

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

Werder Bremen- Lazio Rom 2:1

 

Werder Bremen: Wiese – Fritz, Naldo, Mertesacker, Pasanen (46. Tošiæ) – Frings, Jensen, Borowski (73. Andreasen), Diego – Sanogo (64. Rosenberg), Hugo Almeida; auf der Bank: Vander, Vranjes, Harnik, Baumann

 

Lazio Rom: Ballotta – Behrami, Stendardo, Zauri, Kolarov – Mudingayi, Meghni (51. del Nero), Mutarelli – Manfredini – Rocchi (81. Tare), Pandev (69. Makinwa)

 

Goals: 1:0 Sanogo (28.), 2:0 Hugo Almeida (54.), Manfredini (82.)

 

Yellow cards: Pasanen – Pandev, Mutarelli, Zauri, Mudingayi

 

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal)

 

Attendance: Weser-Stadion: 36.587

 

Weitere News

Your web browser ist outdated.
The web browser you are using is no longer supported.
Please download one of these free and up to date browsers.
Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge
Chrome Firefox Edge
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
MS Edge
Why should I use an up to date web browser?
Security
Newer web browsers provide better protection against malware, data theft and other threats to your privacy and security. Up to date browsers continuously close security holes that allow attackers to enter your computer.
New Technologies
The technologies used on modern websites are better supported by newer web browsers. This both increases functionality and improves the website layout. By benefiting from new functions and extensions you will be able to surf the web faster and easier.