No Ozil? No Problem! Torsten Frings Takes Control As Samp Are Swept Aside.
After the loss of Mesut Ozil, many began to doubt Werder Bremen’s chances of Champions League qualification and of league success this season without their most talented attack-minded midfielder. The young German international player has joined compatriot and German national teammate Sami Khedira at Real Madrid, where the two will grow under the wing of one of the world’s best managers, Jose Mourinho.
Werder Bremen responded to Ozil’s loss astoundingly, with an assured display against Serie A side Sampdoria in a two-legged tie that means Champions League qualification for the winner. After a first-half that saw Werder Bremen control possession and boss the play, both teams went into the break at nil-nil. In the second half, however, Werder Bremen found their touch in front of goal and deservedly began to make their control on the game apparent on the scoreboard.
Goals from Fritz, Frings and Pizarro saw Werder Bremen coasting to victory with twenty minutes still on the clock. Unfortunately for Bremen, Sampdoria grabbed a late consolation through Italian international Giampaolo Pazzini, who was unlucky to not have had one or two more on the night.
Sampdoria’s consolation goal, which is indeed a vital away goal, will offer Sampdoria fans some hope as the Italian side take this tie back to Genoa and try to find a way back into the fixture.
For Werder Bremen, though, this is a magnificent start to their season and one that should be highlighted, considering the fact that even without Mesut Ozil, Werder Bremen were able to create goal-scoring opportunities and put them away as well.
In regards to a Mesut Ozil replacement, Aaron Hunt was the player who began the match in what would have been Ozil’s position. Hunt had a decent game, but it really was the fantastic experience and work-rate of Torsten Frings that allowed Werder Bremen to dominate the match from start to finish.
