UEFA Champions League Preview: Werder Bremen vs. Inter Milan
Werder Bremen: Nothing left to play for
The Germans entered the Champions League group stages over the back of a morale-boosting 4–5 aggregate win over Sampdoria. Werder had sold Mesut Ozil to Real Madrid but many still expected the Bundesliga outfit to challenge the
likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur for a group stage berth. The Germans for their part have only disappointed. In fact, disappointment is perhaps too soft a word as Green-Whites have had a calamitous campaign on the continental stage.
As things stand, Werder are languishing at the bottom of their group with just two points from the five games that have been played. While progression to the next round is impossible, Bremen can’t even dream of a Europa League
spot as they are three points behind third placed FC Twente with a -9 goal difference – Twente in comparison have a relatively superior -2.
The Green-whites have never lost to an Italian side at Weserstadion and have only pride to play for tonight.
Benitez looking to top the group
Rafa Benitez has been a disaster on the domestic front and it’s only the Champions League section on his resume that has saved him the axe. The Nerazzurri, along with Tottenham Hotspur, have already qualified for the round of 16
but this game is of critical importance as it gives Rafa a chance to top the group.
To do that, however, Nerazzurri will need Twente to draw or defeat the Barclays Premier League outfit while registering a win themselves. The Spurs have been a dominant force in Europe and Nerazzurri are leaving a lot to Lady Luck.
Reigning Italian and European giants have been woeful on domestic front as Rafa’s men were thumped by a 3–1 score-line by a rampant Lazio outfit on Friday. This game will give Rafa the opportunity to rediscover some momentum before
entering a tough run of fixtures that includes the Club World Cup.
Team News:
Werder Bremen
Thomas Schaaf will have some problems with his squad selection as Tim Borowski, Sebastian Boenisch, Christian Vander and Naldo are all out injured. The manager has included Daniel Jensen and Marko Arnautovic in the 18-man squad.
On a positive note, Claudio Pizarro and Mikael Silvestre have recovered from their injuries and will start for Werder Bremen.
Inter Milan
The Nerazzurri will have to do without the services of Julio Cesar, Dejan Stankovic, Walter Samuel, Philippe Coutinho, Joel Obi, Maicon and Cristian Chivu as all the aforementioned players are injured. Rafa will have Sulley Muntari
back in the squad following an injury-enforced absence.
Diego Milito, Wesley Sneijder and Lucio have been rested for this game as they take a breather at home.
Key Players:
Marko Marin
The player tipped to be the next superstar of Germany will shoulder the attacking responsibilities for Werder. Marin was expected to replace Mesut Ozil as the playmaker in chief for Green-whites but he has only performed in patches.
A performance against the reigning champions will be a huge confidence boost for the youngster and he will look to put Inter to the sword.
Samuel Eto’o
The Cameroonian was suspended on the weekend against Lazio and will be eager to take a starting role. Eto’o has been one of the few bright spots in a gloomy Nerazzurri season and he will look to add further to his European goals
tally.
Prediction
The Germans have nothing to play for while Inter have been struggling for much of the season. However, Nerazzurri’s superior squad will prevail in the end as the game will finish with a 2–1 score-line.
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