Don’t settle after away win

Nuremberg defender Timm Klose keeps a close eye on Claudio Pizarro.
First Team
Saturday, 25.02.2012 / 07:37

While the expected weather forecast is never 100 percent trustworthy, Werder Bremen and Nuremberg, who face off on Saturday 25 February 2012 6:30 p.m. at Weser Stadium, can breathe a sigh of relief...

While the expected weather forecast is never 100 percent trustworthy, Werder Bremen and Nuremberg, who face off on Saturday 25 February 2012 6:30 p.m. at Weser Stadium, can breathe a sigh of relief. There is only a 13 percent chance of rain, making it quite unlikely that the match will be played in a near-apocalyptic downfall like the 1-1 draw in the first half match in Nuremberg.

Goal scorer Mehmet Ekici challenges Timothy Chandler in heavy rains in the first match-up this season.

Hecking hopes for "big push forward"

Nuremberg are also getting further and further away from an uncomfortable situation sportswise as well. Last week they beat direct relegation challenger Cologne 2-1 at home to move to 25 points - seven points from the drop zone. It's only natural that the guests come to Bremen with more confidence. "You can't really expect to get points against Bremen and Gladbach, but we still would like to pick them up. Those are games through which you could really create some space. That would be another big push forward," said Nuremberg head coach Dieter Hecking, who will be missing four injured players in Mike Frantz, Javier Pinola, Per Nilsson and reverse keeper Alexander Stephan.

The Green-Whites experienced something very liberating themselves last weekend. The 3-1 victory over Hamburg in the North Derby was the first win of the second half of the season and left behind plenty of optimism. "These kinds of results give additional confidence. But what's important is that you are ready for the next step and do not relax. Things don't just go forward on their own," said head coach Thomas Schaaf at the press conference before the game against Nuremberg. "Nuremberg will not give us as much space as Hamburg did. They will try to control play more. They will play more compact, and try to push forward quickly. Therefore we really have to work very concentrated in this match," said Schaaf. "We belong where we are on the table at the moment. We are not one of the top four but we want to use the big chance to qualify for the Europa League. But we are forced to continue winning," said manager Klaus Allofs. Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover are after all right on their heels.

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