Yuriy Maxymov: Only the loss of Diego is truly irreplaceable for Werder
Ex midfielder of Werder and Dynamo Kiev commented on the upcoming UEFA Cup final.
- You played together with Baumann, Frings and Pizarro. Today they are the leaders of Werder. Will they be the key figures in the match against Shakhtar?
- Definitely. Werder would not have reached the UEFA Cup final without them. Each of them is irreplaceable in their position – Baumann on defense, Frings in the midfield and Pizarro on attack. However, they would not be able to fully use their skill set without Schaaf’s coaching talent. Frings and Pizarro returned to Werder from Bayern because of Schaaf. His football is closer and more understandable for them.
- Werder will not be able to use Diego, Hugo Almeida and Mertesackerin Istanbul. Will the team be truly weaker without them?
- I would think that only the loss of Diego is truly irreplaceable for Werder. All of the attacking lines were going through the Brazilian and if you consider Shakhtar’s midfield, Germans will have a tough time in Istanbul.
- Werder is known as an unpredictable team. How much in their play depends on mood?
- Yes, the team does not use the pragmatic schemas. The footballers are trying to enjoy the game and play for the fans. The players come out on the pitch to provide a show for the tribunes and results like 3:3, 5:2, 5:4 are typical for the team. Is this good or bad? I think that while there are results and Werder advancement to the finals of two cups (UEFA and Germany), they will not stop playing such football with Schaaf at the helm.
- They say that Werder fans are the most loyal and grateful in Germany. Will support of the German team in Istanbul be better that that of Shakhtar?
- I know how they can root for the team in Bremen and I think that Werder fans will hold the initiative on the tribunes, even though a serious support for Shakhtar is expected as well. I doubt that the Germans will themselves as well in Istanbul as they do at their home Weserstadion.
- Who will you root for and who do you think will win in the final?
- I will definitely root for Shakhtar. I will even get disappointed if Werder wins. I would like for the UEFA Cup to come to Ukraine.
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Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament
Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament (before 2005); and since 2005 it is called the Internatioanal Valeri Lobanovsky Memorial Tournament. This tournament was created in honour and memory of Valeri Lobanovsky since his death on 13 May 2002, hence the name Memorial. The idea was initiated by the FC Dynamo Kyiv management.
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