Yessss!
"Thank you Ariel"!
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Watched this game live on ARD (German channel). It was on RAI as well, but I didn't bother checking to see whether or not it was scrambled, because the Udinese game had been previously - so just presumed so. In any case, the "Krombacher" music on ARD is kinda soothing - and the commentators tend to be less harsh on the ear-drums than their Italian counterparts. So, to the game.
There was a half decent crowd for a change - and they were raucous and supportive of the team. This was good, in view of the hostility shown towards the team on Saturday, when going down so badly against Fiorentina. And what a GOOD start we had!!! Ortega jinked (magically) himself around one or two of the Bremen players (I am dead ignorant as to who they were, so forgive me on this one) and sent in a terrific cross which Hernan couldn't possibly fail to score from! Whoopee!! Only 5 minutes gone!
Yessss! |
"Thank you Ariel"! |
Crespo embraces the manager |
However, following this, the Germans had a good 15 minute period, during which we couldn't seem to be able to get the ball and only desperate defending and poor finishing saved us. They are a dour lot though! :) After that though, we got back into our stride! Ortega has some magic touches and it was a pity, at times, that Crespo didn't appear to be on completely the same wavelength. Sousa was quite steadying in midfield and it was good to see Vanoli playing again. (Although he doesn't appear to have quite found the form he finished last season in - pity). Vanoli was booked on 26 minutes for a trip. On 29 minutes, there was a great cross from him (Vanoli) which Stanic couldn't quite get hold of as it was a little behind him. Good stuff though! On 31 minutes, Crespo hopefully slumped in the penalty box - but no penalty was forthcoming!!! 35 minutes - Sousa was booked for a foul - but I reckon the German dived - he certainly rolled once too often for my liking. Whoops! On 35 minutes I thought they'd scored! The German commentator seemed unsure for a while - but, yup, disallowed for offside! (I think this was a bit of a dodgy decision, but who's complaining!). The Germans continued with a bit of an onslaught which required more fine goalkeeping from Gigi. Just before half-time, Lilian was booked for a foul on Ailton (who I think is a Brazilian). The big booby was carted off for a while, but returned into the fray soon afterwards. On 42 mins - a great free kick from Fuser, but there were three of them in the box, all going for it - and all missing it. (Rather "bunch and hope"!!) So, half-time, 1-0. I was satisfied with that, but hoped that we would add to the score in the 2nd half.
Nope! The game ended 1-0. Just after half-time, there was a great chance, after more excellent work from Ortega - but Mario fluffed it. He had a disappointing game, imo - (passing poorly and finding himself in offside positions when he could've used his head a bit more.) 50 mins - and Fuser was booked for kicking the ball away in frustration. 60 mins - Vanoli fell awkwardly and hurt his knee. It was a bit worrying for a while. The last thing we need is more injuries - but he seemed to recover quite quickly. 72 mins - Oh Ariel!! He was clear, only had the goalkeeper to beat, but kicked it straight at him! Should've gone on an extra yard Ariel - fallen if necessary!!
Off-side, off-side, off-side - that's all the 2nd half seemed to consist of!! The Werder team are a strange lot!! They are brutish (even though not necessarily German!), big, powerful players - but touch them and they cry like babes!! One of these was Ailton (who Thuram fouled in the first half). The only reason I bring him up now is because I thought he was called A. Ton!!! That's what it looked like it said on his shirt, but his shirt must've been torn! :) Anyway, this was he! What a MONSTER! :) And what a moaner!
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So, that was it. A giant Pole called Dabrowski came on for Werder and Breda came on on 81' for Ortega - and Di Viao on 92' for Stanic. (I don't really understand why he didn't start). Honestly and truly, I hope we can do ok in Werder - but I just wish that we had somehow managed at least one more goal. I think that next Thursday is going to be a nervy affair.
You think this report was boring??? Probably so, but I had great difficulty in typing it. Wanna see a pic of me whilst doing this page?? OK! You will see that I am not wearing my glasses - I can't find them!! I am virtually blind without, so please forgive any mesatkes. Thansk! :)
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Teams and things
Parma: Buffon, Sartor, Thuram, F.Cannavaro, Fuser, P.Sousa, D.Baggio, Vanoli, Ortega (82' Breda), Stanic (92' Di Vaio), Crespo.
Werder Brema: Rost, Trares, Baumann, Barten, Wiedener, Frings, Eilts (92' Tijkuzu), Maximov, Herzog, Ailton, Pizarro (80' Dabrowski).
Referee: Piraux (Belgium)
Goal: 5' Crespo
Corners: 8-1 to Werder
Bookings: Thuram, Vanoli, P.Sousa, Fuser, Baumann
From Eurosport
PARMA, Italy, Feb 29 -- A fifth minute strike from Hernan Crespo gave UEFA Cup holders Parma a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen in their UEFA Cup fourth round, first leg match on Tuesday.
Argentine Ariel Ortega picked out his compatriot with a perfect cross from the right and Crespo made no mistake with a close-range volley.
The German visitors thought they had drawn level in the 36th minute but Brazilian Ailton's strike was ruled offside. During a spell of sustained Bremen pressure Torsten Frings then forced a good save out of Gianluigi Buffon.
Parma's Paolo Vanoli hit the bar with a long-range free-kick but neither side showed much ambition in a poor second half.
(I don't recall Paolo hitting the bar - where was I???)
