Match Previews

Demoralizing 3-2 loss at Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.... Bremen need a "miracle"against Espanyol.... goalkeeper Wiese (r) out suspended.... Mertesacker (k) out injured.... Niemeyer (sp) and Rosenberg (sp) both not eligible.... Borowski (r) out injured.... Klose (k) declared to stay for 1 more season....Werder Bremen once again failed to make a "big point" in the Bundesliga last Sunday when they suffered a 3-2 away loss at Arminia Bielefeld as they once again failed to take advantage of a slip off from league leaders Schalke. Bremen were basically trailing throughout the game against the surprisingly strong hosts and managed to level the score twice through goals from Klose (k) and Almeida (r), but in the hand were dealt a demoralizing loss that means a severe setback to their title hopes and might also have knocked their confidence. On Thursday Werder face Spanish side Espanyol for the 2nd leg of the semi final. The clear 3-0 away defeat from the first leg basically means that Bremen will have to perform one of their European miracle performances, which looks unlikely in their current form, but on the other hand Bremen are a team that can rise to the occasion in European home games which they proved several times in the past. Early team news is that regular goalkeeper Wiese (r) is out suspended as experienced Reinke (sp) will replace him, just like he already did in the 3-2 loss against Bielefeld as coach Schaaf more or less punished Wiese (r) for his sending off against Espanyol. Furthermore key defender Mertesacker (k) remains out injured, while midfielder Niemeyer (sp) and striker Rosenberg (sp) are both not eligible to play in the Uefa Cup. Another factor that has to mentioned is that there has arisen some irritation within the club and the team about the continuing transfer rumors regarding key players Klose (k) and Frings (k), who are both having negotiations with clubs like Bayern Munchen and Juventus, while their team is in the middle of a deciding stadium in both the Bundesliga and the Uefa Cup. Latest team news is that midfielder Borowski (r) remains out injured as either Vranjes (r) or Jensen (r) will continue to replace him. Furthermore star striker Klose (k) gave a positive signal towards the club by declaring that he will fulfill his contract with the club until the year 2008. Coach Schaaf is well aware about the heavy burden that the 3-0 away loss is as Werder Bremen basically cannot afford to concede a goal tonight if they want to stand any chance to make up the 3 goals difference. Schaaf can field a decent starting 11 despite missing important regulars, but experienced alternatives are rather thin with youngsters Bisschof (sp), Polenz (sp) and Schindler (sp) all taking place on the bench.