UEFA Champions League Group A- Part-2
Werder Bremen
Champions League group A, apart from having Inter Milan, the defending champions, and Tottenham, the rookies from English Premier League, would have the German club, Werder Bremen. Bremen are the most experienced team in the group after Inter Milan. Breman have the distinct ability to crank it up on famous European nights at home and make it really difficult for away teams to get a result.
Thomas Schaaf has instilled a sense of confidence in them, and when they play in Europe the brand of attacking football is a sight to see. Thomas is manager, who does not restrict his players and does give the attacking players a license to roam around, and that is what gives flair to his team.
Bremen are normally known to be involved in matches that have loads of goals. Now the group that has Tottenham and FC Twente there sure is going to be a scrap between the 3 to follow the favourites Inter as the 2nd team from the group.
Werder Bremen manager Schaaf would be short handed this season in midfield, as his star player Mesut Ozil has moved on to Real Madrid. However, Ozil’s exit has meant that players like Tim Borowski and Torsten Frings have stepped up to the plate, and in a recent game the duo has shown that they can step it up a notch when needed. While the veteran pairing of Hugo Almeida and Claudio Pizarro would bring in all experience of playing in Europe and Germany.
FC Twente
Finally there is FC Twente, the Dutch team that is sure to be the underdog in Group-A. Steve McLaren, the former England manager took on the club when they were lying at the bottom of the top 10 in the Dutch league. The Englishman, who could not make it work with his national team back home worked wonders with the un-fancied Dutch team. FC Twente ended up winning the Dutch Eredivisie championship and now has made it to the UEFA Champions League. But once again it has to be mentioned that McLaren is no longer with the team and that is sure to have an impact on the overall performance.
Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)
Now talking about group A, one has to look at the player to watch out for. As far as Tottenham are concerned, none more so than Rafael Van de Vaart would be the key. The Dutch winger made a last minute move to Spurs after falling out of favour with Real Madrid.
There is a feeling that Redknapp brought him in to add quality specifically to his European squad. Rafael has the gifted ability of inch perfect passing from the centre of midfield, and has the striking ability like the former Dutch star striker, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank. Van der Vaart may just be the man to provide assistance to the front man and may be deployed just behind the strikers.
Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)
Wesley Sneijder was by far the best Inter player last season. He dominated the midfield and literally toyed around with oppositions when it came to marking his territory. The Dutchman was one of the most impressive players for his country in the World Cup in South Africa and not only did he exceed in his passing capacity, but also scored 4 goals. Apart from Xavi he may be the best midfielder in Europe right now.
Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen)
For Werder Bremen, Clemen Fritz has to be the most influential player. Even though he plays at right back position, his tireless runs down the flanks make him a constant threat to oppositions, especially with his ability to deliver the perfect ball in the box.
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