Proud Borussia draws the line in Bremen

By: otto | February 14th, 2009

The proud start of Rückrunde continued today with another outstanding performance by our team, as Borussia snatched a 1-1 draw at against Borussia at Weserstadion.

VfL coach Hans Meyer used a 3-3-1-3 formation with Roberto Colautti’s service coming in from Rob Friend and Tony Jantschke handed the defensive responsibility in center, primarily keeping Mesut Özil under wraps. The hosts started fast the it was clear that Borussia would not back down, not now, not ever. A Claudio Pizzaro header was cleared off the line nine minutes in and eleven minutes later Özil was forced too wide by ‘keeper Logan Bailly and could not put the ball into the net. Bremen continued to pressure but defending continued to frustrate and the Belgian ‘keeper Logan Bailly was up to every challenge. Two minutes before the half hour, Pizzaro’s close range effort was saved by Logan Bailly, followed by Hugo Almeida’s header being directed. over the bar. Needing more composure and ball control, great veteran Oliver Neuville was brought in for Tony Jantschke with five minutes remaining and it stemmed the Bremen advances through the break.

However after the break, Brement desperate for a victory, took control of the ball and stormed forward. Christian Dorda saved a goal when he denied Torsten Frings who had gotten around Logan Bailly but still the match was without a goal. Past the hour Alexandros Tziolis and Markus Rosenberg both challenged the Borussia goal but each time the Belgian ‘keeper would provide the save. Frustration was boiling over for Werder before they took the lead with fourteen minutes remaining as Pizzaro headed Mesut Özil’s corner from just outside the six yard box.

But fear is not part of the Borussia heart and immediately Marco Marin was ushered into the match with the firm intention to break the hearts of Bremen’s supporters. And the nineteen year-old marksman did precisely that as it was only three minutes later his free-kick was brought down with control Michael Bradley and sent into the net to bring the match even and silence Weserstadion.

The final stages of the match, Borussia fought with intensity as Werder sent wave after wave of attackers forward. Yet each was denied by Logan Bailly. Urged on by the traveling party of supporters, he fought off Pizzaro, Naldo and Rosenberg’s attempts as the match ended with a 1-1 draw.