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Bremen look to stem Spanish tide in UEFA Cup
PARIS (AFP) - Werder Bremen's Champions League elimination by Barcelona could be met by a measure of revenge on Thursday when they face Barca's city rivals Espanyol in a UEFA Cup semi-final first leg clash.
The German side are the only non-Spanish team in the last four - holders Sevilla take on Osasuna in the other semi - but are in prime form as their 3-1 win in the league last Friday kept them within two points of leaders Schalke 04.
Werder's outstanding German international midfielder Torsten Frings believes that the 1992 Cup Winners Cup winners are capable of beating anyone, and certainly the manner in which they demolished Dutch league leaders AZ Alkmaar in the quarter-finals lends his theory credence.
"We can beat any club in Europe," Frings told uefa.com.
"We can win this tournament," the 30-year-old added with typical German candour.
Bremen could be boosted by the return of defender Christian Schulz, who has recovered from a thigh injury but will be without long-time injury absentee, Cameroon international Pierre Wome.
Also facing watching from the sidelines could be Tim Borowski, who was outstanding on his return to the side in the second leg against Alkmaar, and Per Mertesacker.
However while Frings, who was much missed by Germany in their World Cup semi-final against Italy last year because he was suspended after a fracas at the end of their quarter-final with Argentina, is confident the club's sporting director Klaus Allofs was taking a more circumspect tone.
"I think Espanyol will be tougher than Celta Vigo," said the former German international striker, referring to the Spanish side they eliminated from the round of 16.
Certainly Espanyol, finalists in 1988 when they were beaten by Bayer Leverkusen, have caused a storm in the UEFA Cup this season being the leading scorers in the competition - striking home 27 goals - with Walter Pandiani the individual leading scorer with 10 goals.
Bremen have their own ace marksman in Miroslav Klose and the Polish-born German international showed a return to form in the second leg win over Alkmaar when he scored twice to end a long running goal drought.
Allied to the silky playmaking skills of 22-year-old Brazilian playmaker Diego - who scored against Alkmaar and surpassed that with a 60 metres effort against Alemannia Aachen last Friday - Bremen travel to Barcelona in justifiably confident mood.
Sevilla's bid to become only the second side to retain the trophy - Real Madrid are the only side to have accomplished that back in 1985 and 1986 - sees them travel to the tournament's surprise packages Osasuna.
Osasuna have behaved rather like the world famous Bull run that occurs in their base of Pamplona every year as they have ridden rough shod over all their opponents this year, no more so than when they stunned Leverkusen in the quarter-finals doing the hard bit by beating them 3-0 in Germany in the first leg.
Osasuna's veteran Serbian international striker, Savo Milosevic, is sure they can pull off another shock against a Sevilla side - who they beat twice last year 1-0 to edge into fourth place in the final standings ahead of them - that is also challenging for the domestic title.
"I think we surprised all of Europe with our result in Leverkusen," the 33-year-old told Uefa.com.
"I still have the impression we are being underestimated even after we saw through the victory.
"We never relaxed, we managed the game and to win 4-0 over two matches against any German opposition, let alone one with the European history of Leverkusen, is an impressive state of intent.
"Once you get a taste for something like this, you want more. We want to go to Hampden (where the final takes place)."
Fixtures
Osasuna (ESP) v Sevilla (ESP)
Espanyol (ESP) v Werder Bremen (GER)
2nd legs May 3.
Info
Goals
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Moises Hurtado 20'
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1 - 0 |
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W. Pandiani 50'
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2 - 0 |
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Coro 87'
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3 - 0 |
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