Let’s Get Physical: Köln 32 – 19 Werder

But really the score ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw; and so Werder didn’t capitalize on a chance to catch up to league leaders Leverkusen.

It was a ridiculously physical match, with Köln committing 32 fouls – most of them probably on Marko Marin, who was being hacked at nearly every time he had the ball. This was probably because he was our only source of attacking creativity with Özil out due to illness. Unfortunately, two things happened: First, Marko seemed to get a bit ball-happy, moving forward with great pace but either not bothering to pass the ball or producing not-so-great crosses into the box, and second, he really started anticipating the fact that Köln would inevitably end up fouling him, and so started falling over at every opportunity. Sometimes freekicks are cool to get if you can actually do something with them, but other times you’re just screaming at the player to stay on his feet and keep going! But I won’t fault him too much because, like I said, he seemed to be the only attacker worth noticing during the match.

Mielitz was in goal in place of Wiese, making his Bundesliga debut this time, and happily he made me eat my words of criticism from mid-week, as he produced a very competent display against Lukas Podolski’s side. Particularly when Köln were through on goal, only the keeper to beat, but young Mielitz stuck out a leg, knocking the shot wide and saving the Green-White skins.

We missed Özil. Marko can work wonders sometimes, but he has yet to do it on a weekly basis the way that Özil can. Almeida, too, had an off-day which made us miss Pizarro. Our set pieces were disappointing – we had so many corners and freekicks that we really should have produced a goal from one of them.

Next week will be the battle for second place when we entertain Schalke at the Weserstadion. If we don’t win, expect me to be in quite the rotten mood – just warning you!

Category: Bundesliga, Match Report