Pre-Match notes: After last week's performance I think Eljero Elia deserves to continue back in the starting lineup. Last match against Hannover he linked well with Di Santo. He also brings certain technique and qualities to the team with his dribbling and speed on the attack. Though he does need to be careful with the offside calls. I would also put Obraniak back in the starting XI, rather have him instead of Makiadi in the formation that Dutt is playing.
Hunt, Iggy, and Garcia are fit and will be ready for the match. Here's the lineup I want to see in the 4-4-2 against Schalke --------------------Wolf------------------- Iggy-----Prödl----Caldirola--------Garcia --------------Bargfrede_------------- ------Obraniak-------Junuzovic----- ----------------Hunt------------------ -------Elia-------------Di santo-----
Lineups for today, Obraniak still benched. Der #Aufstellungsbogen für #SVWS04! pic.twitter.com/jiZmyXca1b— SV Werder Bremen (@werderbremen) April 5, 2014
Pressing early, Di Santo and Makiadi on attack. Smart defending from Garcia. Good tackling from team.
Nice dribbling and set up by Elia, Hunt's shot goes over. LMAO, 2nd hand ball by Prince Boateng already.
Class control on the ball by Elia to hold up the play. Di Santo scores, deflecting off Fährmann. AHH! Close to another one!
Big save by Wolf...Prödl saves us there with a block in front of goal. Time to calm things down boys...
Awesome dribble by Elia bursting up the flank. ....Makiadi shoots wide, should have done better with that chance.
Bad decision by Garcia to go for the cross into the box, which was met by a weak and contested header by Makiadi. He had 2 open players at top of the box. Would have been a better chance taking a shot from there.
Petersen on for Elia w/ 8 mins to go... Junuzovic blasts a rocket shot...Argghh big save by Fährmann ...Obraniak on for Fritz as late sub FT 1 -1
A victory certainly would have been within grasp today. But I liked how the team battled and competed throughout the entire game. Elia made the most out of his chance again in the starting XI. He was a spark all game, constant running all over the field. Displayed some fine technique along with speedy runs. I felt Hunt had an off-game. He seemed out of it on some offensive possessions, and sub par on taking set pieces. Makiadi was decent. Had good tackles and won some battles in the midfield for us, but he's a bit awkward going forward on the counterattack hesitating a bit on the run. Bargfrede set up good counters as well with his tackling. We created good chances even late in the second half. A shame Di Santo had to go off early, and puzzling why Dutt didn't sub Petersen for him right away. Moments where having a striker up top would have been key. Fährmann was also clutch for Schalke near the end as well. Overall, I'm content with the result. Werder played competitive football today and earned a more than deserved point. Strong performance from the team collectively.
Elia highlights from the game. One notable play missing from the video is his explosive run where he dribbled and charged past the opponent along the sideline. I think this has been one of the better performance I've seen from him playing for Werder. I'll admit I wasn't much a fan of him before but he's integrated back to the starting lineup quite productively. There's moments where he tries to do too much and overlooks the simple decisions. But he brings an interesting game being an assertive and commanding play maker with his creative ball handling. His attitude has also improved which appears to help him play more relaxed and free. Hopefully he's able to keep up the positive work.