PSG’s transfer market targets

While PSG have yet to make a mark in the transfer market, Alain Roche has been in hot pursuit of a number of prospects. Although no offers have been made their top priority is Russian international Marat Izmailov, presently with Portuguese side Sporting. The twenty-six year-old ex-Lokomotiv Moscow man is a superb play-maker and leader. Additionally winger Vincent Laban who presently plays for Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta is listed high on the list as he offers the pace and vision the club needs. Although the club is debating investing within defenders Aquivaldo Mosquera of Sevilla and Marco Caneira of Sporting are under consideration if the price is right.

Werder’s hope die with miserable performance

With a golden opportunity before them, the Green Whites Champions League hopes ended with a 2-2 draw to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Still winless in five matches, Werder sits at the bottom of their group with four points, one behind Anorthosis. While they were the beneficiary of being drawn into what most will consider the weakest of groups, they will need to defeat Inter in Milan to have any chance of finishing third and earning a UEFA Cup spot. While I am “jumping the gun” with this pronouncement, it can only be considered a horrible disappointment for the club and they will need to reconsider the style of Football they wish to play and obviously their squad.

Werder started with extremely strong intent and were clearly the aggressor but for all the pace and intent, they lack the final punch in the final third of the pitch. Seventeen minutes after the break Nikos Nikolaou scored for the hosts off a Sávio corner where he was left unmarked in a highly unprofessional manner. The goal definitely picked up the spirits of the Cypriot side and six minutes later as Sávio benefited from poor defending and pilfered an easy goal off a rebound. Down by two, Werder showed resolve and benefited Nikos Nikolaou adjudged to pulling Aaron Hunt in the area. With the spot pointed-to, Diego easily converted to draw one back. Werder attacked endlessly and with three minutes remaining Hugo Almeida rocketed an opportunistic drive to the back of the net to bring the match even. Almeida was gifted another chance at time wound down but the Anorthosis ‘keeper came up with a match saving stop and the match ended 2-2.

Now or never

It is now or never for the Green Whites as they face Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus. The Cypriot powerhouse has been one of the bright stories of the Champions League and on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stage as they are in second place of Group B. Conversely and it is impossible to deny, Werder is one of the tournaments great disappointments floundering like a fish out of water, with a lowly three points in four matches. Overall play has been so poor in the Champions League and in Bundesliga action that Klaus Allofs and Thomas Schaaf spending much of their time downplaying talk of "crisis."

While I am obviously guilty of finding the silver lining, the club does appear to have turned the corner in the last three matches and actually playing some defense. The weaknesses of poor work ethic, caused by questionable levels of fitness have made a measurable improvement recent, evidenced in the nil draw to VfL Bochum, the 3-1 victory over FC Köln and the 2-1 loss to Hamburg in the Nord derby. Although there is much left to be desired, it is a start in the right direction.

In the opening match against Anorthosis Famagusta, Werder was was humbled at home with the Cypriot squad playing to a nil draw. The high energy attack that the Green Whites boast was a trickle, were shot after shot were off target and their opposition followed a point-by-point plan on the way to the draw. While obvious, to be victorious in Cyprus, Werder must not only continue their return to defending but find the ability to finish, which equally has been a problem.

Werder heads into the match with Sebastian Boenisch and Clemens Fritz confidently able to play but both decisions will likely be wait till the last minute. Mesut Özil, who is suspended domestically suspended will be able. Anorthosis Famagusta will be boosted with the return of Arian Beqaj but Traianos Dellas and Cedric Bardon are questionable.

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