30-11-08
Werder Bremen 5 - 0 Eintracht Frankfurt
On the fifteenth match day of the season, Werder Bremen returned to top form as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 (3-0). 42,100 spectators in a capacity filled Weser Stadium saw the Green-Whites take the points in style thanks to goals from Claudio Pizarro (11'/20'/62'), Diego (44'/pen.) and Aaron Hunt (75').

[source]

Pizarro goals to heal a stifled spirit
After 66 minutes, Claudio Pizarro's work day was over, but for the Peruvian striker the game could have gone on forever as almost everything he touched turned to goals. With an hour of the game played, the front man had already notched up three goals and the standing ovation on his departure was more that duly deserved: “I still know how to do it and I just hope that it continues. When you've scored the first goal, then they just keep coming to you,” explained the striker.

Scoring the first two goals of the day, Claudio Pizarro set the tone for Werder's “Fist big step in the right direction for the team since our Champions League exit,” said Per Mertesacker, who considered Pizarro's goals to be “Good for the player's soul.” There was plenty of praise from all around for the Green-Whites centre forward, who catapulted himself into fourth place in the Bundesliga goal scoring table with his hat-trick against Frankfurt after a frustrating five match goal drought.

“I really don't know if we can replace Claudio. I am very satisfied with him. Today he could possibly have even scored on or two more goals,” remarked Mertesacker, and head coach Thomas Schaaf agreed: “If you take a look at Claudio's performances this season, and not just the last few games, they it's very satisfactory. We are very aware of just how great a talent we possess with him in our ranks.”

[source]

11-11-08
Werder Bremen 0 - 0 Bochum
On match day twelve of the season, Werder Bremen played out a 0-0 draw away to VfL Bochum. In front of a crowd of 27,237 at the ‘Ruhrstadion', Werder controlled the tie but the visitors were unable to find a way through.

From the out-set the Green-Whites took charge and with just five minutes on the clock, Mesut Özil put a shot just wide of the right post. Just minutes later, the visitors felt they should have had a penalty when Bochum's Christoph Dabrowski appeared to drag Claudio Pizarro back in the penalty area, but the referee showed no interest in the appeals.

[source]

Three match ban for Özil, Pizarro investigated
The DFB supervisory committee opened investigations into Claudio Pizarro. The Peruvian striker stands accused of unsportsmanlike conduct due to criticism made about the performance of the referee following the game against VfL Bochum.

Claudio Pizarro has been summoned by the DFB supervisory committee to explain his remarks. Subsequently the committee will make a decision on how they will proceed.

Update: Pizarro will have to pay a €3000 fine.

[source]

02-11-08
Werder Bremen 5 - 1 Hertha Berlin
On the eleventh match day of the season, Werder Bremen crushed Hertha BSC Berlin 5-1 (3-0). A crowd of 42,000 at the Weser Stadium saw the home side take the lead thanks to an own goal by Gojko Kacar (14'), before Diego (20'), Markus Rosenberg (42') and Claudio Pizarro (60') increased the deficit to four goals. Cicero managed to snatch a consolation for Hertha (68') before Pizarro struck again to make the final score 5-1 (85').

[source]

'Pizza' Aims to deliver
The churning waters of the River Weser are choppier than ever these days. Autumn is stormy in the northern port city of Bremen at the best of times, but the lowering clouds over Werder Bremen's Weser stadium seem darker and more threatening than usual. Thomas Schaaf's team, UEFA Champions League contenders for the last five seasons in a row, fell 2-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening, their fourth Bundesliga fixture without a win. Werder lie tenth in the standings, lowly territory indeed for a club so accustomed to success.

Many signs point to an era coming to an end. The northerners' customary attacking flair has not deserted them: they have an impressive 23 goals so far, but the problem lies elsewhere, as they have conceded just one fewer. Brazilian wizard Diego, a revelation last season and one of the stars of the Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008, is a shadow of his former self. But hope springs eternal, and Werder's hopes of turning the corner now rest on a man who once abandoned the club to go in search of fame and fortune in the wider footballing world, namely Claudio Pizarro.

Unfulfilled potential?
"If he really, really wanted it, he could be world class," Felix Magath once said of the Peru international striker. That was two and a half years ago when Pizarro was still wearing the famous red jersey of the country's leading club Bayern Munich. Magath was his coach, albeit an occasionally frustrated, hand-wringing sort of coach. Pizarro was a gifted, happy-go-lucky kind of guy, "who sometimes hides his tremendous ability under a bushel". The striker himself was ready with a retort: "For me, football is about pleasure. The minute I stop enjoying it, I'll give up."

In the next couple of years, there were spells when the fun seemed to go out of the game for Pizarro. He became only the fourth foreign striker to crack the 100 Bundesliga goal mark, but began spending more and more time warming the Bayern bench, hardly amenable to the chirpy and light-hearted character who owns a stud farm back in his native Peru. Pizza, as he is fondly known in Germany, tried his luck with Chelsea but never came close to a breakthrough, and duly returned on loan in the summer of 2008 to the very place where his European adventure began some nine years ago.

Back to the roots
"He's the player we always wanted," insisted Werder Director of Sport Klaus Allofs, letting slip in passing that Bremen eyebrows had frequently been raised during the striker's time in Munich, where the player was increasingly the target of internal criticism right up to board level. The fact is that the Peruvian, who also holds an Italian passport, was idolised in Bremen even at the tender age of 20, to an extent that subsequent stars such as Ailton and Diego have never really achieved. But Pizza has finally returned, 30 years old now, more mature, and consumed less by frustration at his often lukewarm reception in Munich and London, and more by hunger, ambition and desire.

Those are the very attributes Schaaf and his team urgently require in spades, a quality individual capable of setting pulses racing, taking the initiative and making a decisive difference. It was the case in the UEFA Champions League a few weeks back when Werder travelled to face Inter in Milan. Pizarro struck the equaliser in a hugely creditable 1-1 draw, as if to demonstrate the depth of potential still present in the misfiring Bremen squad. He also – perhaps inevitably – hit the target against his former Munich team-mates, declining to celebrate his goal out of respect, but contributing immensely to Bremen's sensational 5-2 away win.

Settled and mature
"Bayern are a big club with internationally recognised stars, and Werder are aiming to become a big club with internationally recognised stars," Pizarro was quoted as saying recently, evidently issuing a wake-up call to some of his team-mates. As he approaches the autumn of his career, the now mature former playboy is determined to give something back to the club which launched him onto the European footballing stage. He is sidelined with injury at the moment, but Werder will surely recover their impetus once they welcome back the man who has chipped in five goals so far this term.

Someone certainly needs to step in and blow away the ominous clouds lowering over the Weser stadium. No-one in Bremen has any doubt over Pizza's ability to deliver.


[source]

Hi! Sorry for the short hiatus but Claudio was injured so there weren't many news about him. I've added pictures from the match to the gallery! On Tuesday Werder play against Panathinaikos and if they want to have a chance to qualify for the next round they have to win.

21-10-08
Werder Bremen 3 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
Werder Bremen played out a spectacular 3-3 (0-0) draw with Borussia Dortmund on the eight match day of the season. Alexander Frei (59'/pen), Mats Hummels (72') and Mohamed Zidan (92‘) were on target for the visitors, whilst Frank Baumann (68') and Claudio Pizarro (88'/91') did the scoring for the Green-Whites.

[source]

Claudio Pizarro wins ‘Goal of the Month' award
Werder striker Claudio Pizarro's goal to make it 2-1 for the Green-Whites in their Bundesliga clash with 1899 Hoffenheim (final score 5-4), on September 27th 2008, has won the ‘Goal of the Month' award for September.

The Peruvian front-man's back heeled flick, following some excellent work by Markus Rosenberg, took a total of 26,1% of the votes from the viewers of ‘ARD Sportschau' in the poll for the months best strike. Borussia Dormund's Alexander Frei took second place with 22,05% of the votes cast. Mesut Özil also won a nomination for his stunning striker to make it 3-0 against Bayern Munich at the Allianz-Arena (final score 5-2) and took third place, picking up 21,13% of the votes.

The placements at a glance:

1. Claudio Pizarro, Werder Bremen, 27.09.2008 in the game against 1899 Hoffenheim (26,1%)

2. Alexander Frei, Borussia Dortmund, 13.09.08 in the game against Schalke 04 (22,05%)

3. Mesut Özil, Werder Bremen, 20.09.2008 in the game against Bayern München (21,13%)

4. Miroslav Klose, Bayern Munich, 24.09.08 in the DFB Cup game against 1. FC Nürnberg (19,78%)

5. Stefan Kießling, Bayer Leverkusen, 23.09. 08 in the DFB Cup game against FC Augsburg (10,94%)

[source]

06-10-08
Stuttgart 4 - 1 Werder Bremen
On the seventh match day of the season, Werder Bremen crumbled to a 1-4 (0-2) defeat at the hands of VfB Stuttgart. 55,800 spectators at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart saw goals scored by Sami Khedira (18'), Christian Träsch (29'), Roberto Hilbert (63') and Martin Lanig (88') for the home side whilst Diego netted a consolation for the Green-Whites (65').

[source]

Claudio's goal against 1899 Hoffenheim has been nominated for for September's ‘Goal of the Month'. Also, Werder will play against Dortmund in the round of the last sixteen in the DFB-Cup.

03-10-08

Key games follow point win in Milan
If any one member of the team should blow the chance of a win, then please let it be Claudio Pizarro. That's just how Inter coach José Mourinho saw it after the game: “I am still in touch with him, as I am with many of my former players,” said the Portuguiese trainer, who was quite willing to accept the share of the points: “Of course you could say that there was more possible here, but we have to live with that. We will definitely qualify for the next round of the competition,” boasted a confident Mourinho.

Werder general manager Klaus Allofs considers his side equally capable of making the next round: “I think, considering the way the game went, that we can be satisfied with the point here. A bit of luck on our side and that last chance could have seen us snatching away all three points. In saying that though, misfortune at the other end could have cost us the game. Quite honestly, the situation for Inter after this game is similar to how we felt after the Famagusta match. We were the clear favourites, had the chances to win but in the end had to settle for a point. This game is a success for us.”

[source]

Pizarro pumped up after San Siro strike
Having kept Werder Bremen's UEFA Champions League bid alive with a vital equaliser at FC Internazionale Milano, Claudio Pizarro admitted he "loves playing" at the Italian outfit's iconic San Siro home.

Bremen lifeline
Pizarro scored against Inter two years ago when FC Bayern München ran out 2-0 winners at exactly the same stage of the competition and the Peruvian marksman again rose to the occasion to give Bremen a point to add to the one they attained against Anorthosis Famagusta FC two weeks ago. The match had looked to be running away from Thomas Schaaf's side in a first half dominated by the Italian champions, but the visitors never gave up and on 62 minutes, the 29-year-old stole into the area to give his side a 1-1 draw and a lifeline.

'Lucky ground'
"We're very satisfied with getting a point here because it's not an easy place to come," he told uefa.com. "But I love playing here. It seems to be a lucky ground for me. Playing at such a fantastic stadium in front of so many supporters is an incredible experience and now we're back in the running because the 1-1 draw puts us in an excellent position. We play Panathinaikos [FC] in our next match and that represents a great chance to get three points – we expect to win that one."

Missed chances
Pizarro could even have emerged the match-winner had he managed to put away another opportunity in the last seconds of the game. The former Chelsea FC striker had already hit the post in the first half when well placed to score and he passed up another presentable chance when Naldo's ferocious free-kick proved too hot for Júlio César to handle. The rebound fell into Pizarro's path, but he could only direct his snapshot wide.

'Satisfied'
"I could have maybe won the match at the end," he added. "It was a good chance in the last minute but unfortunately it took me a bit by surprise. I was slightly wrong-footed and couldn't readjust my feet in time to shoot properly. It wasn't to be, but that's OK. I'm not quite 100 per cent fit yet but when I am, that's when you'll see the best of me. On the whole, we're very satisfied with getting a point here because it's not an easy place to come."

[source]

I've added pictures from the match.

01-10-08
Pizarro spurred on by Mourinho reunion
Claudio Pizarro has "very fond memories" of San Siro. The last time he played there, two years ago almost to the day, his goal helped FC Bayern München condemn FC Internazionale Milano to their second group defeat in as many matches. Now, in the green and orange of Werder Bremen, the Peruvian is hoping lightning will strike twice as he comes up against his former Chelsea FC coach José Mourinho.

'Fond memories'
On that late September evening in Milan, Pizarro muscled past two defenders to break the deadlock nine minutes from time and as Inter unravelled, with both Fabio Grosso and Zlatan Ibrahimovic receiving red cards, Lukas Podolski scored another in added time to give Bayern a memorable 2-0 win. "We are under no illusions how hard it will be because Inter are a very competitive side," Pizarro said. "But we also know we can beat them. I have very fond memories of the last time I came here because I scored a goal and we won the match."

Familiar face
Pizarro will also find a familiar face in Mourinho, the man who took him to London from Bayern shortly before his reign at Stamford Bridge came to an end last September. The centre-forward expressed regret at not having had the chance to spend more time under the Portuguese tactician. "It'll be great to see him again," he said. "Unfortunately I only had the chance to work with him for a short while. I didn't really have the chance to show him what I could do because I also missed quite a lot of pre-season playing in the Copa América. But tomorrow is another chance for me to show him what I can do."

'Dangerous'
Mourinho himself needs no reminding about the qualities of Pizarro, who has scored 14 goals in 52 UEFA Champions League appearances and three in five Bundesliga outings this term. "Pizarro is a good player," Mourinho said. "He was only with me for three or four months before I left but he impressed me with his attitude. He was a happy player who scored goals and contributed well to the team. Unfortunately after I left his life changed. But I know full well what he can do and in today's players' meeting I told them all about him, what sort of player he is and how dangerous he is."

Materazzi wary
Inter defender Marco Materazzi had clearly been paying attention. "Werder Bremen play very well as a team," he said. "They don't have any really dangerous individuals that stand out, apart from Diego, who is very clever. But they do move very quickly as a team and have good strikers like Pizarro, who is physically strong and good in the air."

[source]

29-09-08
Werder Bremen 5 - 4 Hoffenheim
Werder Bremen saw off an heroic fightback from newcomers Hoffenheim to snatch a 5-4 win on Sunday, while misfiring Bayern Munich lost 1-0 at Hanover 96.

Bremen, 5-2 winners away to Bayern last weekend, picked up where they left off in Saturday's Bundesliga clash at home to Hoffenheim as they built up a 4-1 lead in the first half.

The visitors recovered to 4-4 before 10-man Bremen grabbed a late winner through Mesut Ozil.

[source]

As always, I've added pictures from the game.

23-09-08
Bayern Munich 2 - 5 Werder Bremen
On the fifth match day of the season, Werder Bremen pulled off a stunning and extremely surprising 5-2 (2-0) win away to FC Bayern Munich. 69,000 spectators at a capacity filled Allianz-Arena saw goals scored for the Green-Whites by Markus Rosenberg (30'/67'), Naldo (45'), Mesut Özil (54') and Claudio Pizarro (59'), as well as a brace for Bayern by former Werder man Tim Borowski (71'/85').

Read more at the source.

[source]

Werder Bremen 2 - 1 Erzgebirge Aue
Werder Bremen struggled to a 2-1 victory over third division side Erzgebirge Aue in the German Cup Tuesday while Cologne and Eintracht Frankfurt fared even worse, losing to teams from lower leagues. With the memory of Saturday's stunning 5-2 win at champions Bayern Munich still fresh in their minds, Bremen went into their second- round clash full of confidence but found themselves a goal down after just seven minutes when Fabian Mueller put the home side ahead with a shot from outside the area.

But Claudio Pizarro equalized for Thomas Schaaf's side on 26 minutes with Markus Rosenberg netting what turned out to be the winner for Bremen nine minutes after the break.

[source]

15-09-08
Werder Bremen 0 - 0 Anorthosis
Werder Bremen had never managed to win their opening game in a Champions League campaign and there was to be no joy for the Green-Whites on Tuesday night at the Weser Stadium, as they took on rank underdogs Famagusta. Following a first period of constant pressure, trainer Thomas Schaaf's side failed to create clear openings in the second half and after 90 minutes, the game finished disappointingly for Werder Bremen in a 0-0 draw.

Read more at the source.

[source]

31-08-08
Borussia M'gladbach 3-2 Werder Bremen
Borussia Mönchengladbach made up for the disappointment of losing their opening two Bundesliga matches by putting title hopefuls Werder Bremen to the sword with a highly deserved 3-2 win.  

Goals from Matmour, Friend and Baumjohann set them on their way, but they were left to fret a little at the end after late goals from Claudio Pizarro and Diego.  

[source]

Werder Bremen will play against Inter Milan (Italy), Panathinaikos (Greece) and Anorthosis (Cyprus) in the Champions League.

24-08-08
Werder Bremen 1 - 1 Shalke 04
In an entertaining match, visitors Schalke stole a point from hosts Werder Bremen. A chance-rich first half finished goalless, but Frings and Westermann grabbed one apiece in the second period.

[source]

I've added some pictures from the game to the gallery.

19-08-08
Pizarro plots career resurrection with Bremen
Claudio Pizarro has returned to Werder Bremen after a seven-year absence looking to kick-start a career which stalled at Chelsea.

The Peruvian striker struggled to make an impression after he was lured to Stamford Bridge by then Blues boss Jose Mourinho last summer.

Pizarro's first-team hopes were not helped when Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant a few months later and the 29-year-old striker concedes his time in west London did not go as he had hoped.

'It was okay, I mean I still had some positive experiences, but it certainly did not turn out the way I had imagined,' said Pizarro who made the majority of his 21 appearances from the substitutes' bench.

One of the best coaches in the world wanted to have me in his team, but then three months later he was gone.

'That is just my bad luck, but such is football.'

Pizarro has returned to Bremen, the club where he scored 29 goals in 56 games between 1999 and 2001, on a season-long loan.

The move came following an inquiry from Bremen director of sport Klaus Allofs, and while the former Bayern Munich striker still has a contract with Chelsea until 2011, he insists he is focused on helping his new team claim some silverware this season.

'I wanted to fight (for a place at Chelsea), but then Klaus came and told me all about Bremen,' he said.

'A lot has changed and I think Werder have improved in a lot of areas and the team has a lot of quality.

'I want to win things and that is why I am here.'

[source]

18-08-08
Slideshow
Bundesliga.de features a slideshow of Claudio's career in pictures, it can be watched here

Interview with Marco Bode (Werder Bremen Legend)
"A good solution for Werder" Claudio Pizarro is back in the Bundesliga and at Werder Bremen. bundesliga.de discussed the deal with Werder legend Marco Bode.

bundesliga.de: Marco Bode, were you surprised by the Pizarro loan deal?

Marco Bode: No, I had already heard a few rumours. I think it's a good solution for Werder. The season will show whether it's a top solution. Werder have definitely improved up front for the season. And if Pizarro plays well I could imagine that he stays longer, even if Werder don't have an option to buy.

bundesliga.de: What can Werder hope for?

Bode: Above all, I hope for a lot of goals, of course. Werder have signed an international top striker. He didn't have many opportunities to show that at Chelsea, but he has great ability and I think that Werder hope for 15 or 20 goals in return.

bundesliga.de: What are Pizarro's strengths?

Bode: He is a complete striker, quick, strong, good in the air and with both feet. It all fits very well. He has no special qualities, but overall he is a striker above average.

bundesliga.de: How did he develop in recent years?

Bode: I think that he's close to the level he had when we were playing together. He went on to play for top clubs such as Bayern and Chelsea, but he didn't play regularly. That doesn't mean that he stagnated, though. He already was at a top level when he left Werder. But I think that he had his best time with Werder, as far as sport is concerned.

bundesliga.de: That might have played a part in joining Werder...

Bode: Definitely. He knows coach Thomas Schaaf and that he prefers attacking football. Pizarro fits into Werder's concept very well.

bundesliga.de: Where will Pizarro stand among the Werder strikers?

Bode: I assume that he will be seeded in the first place. There surely will be no guarantee, but he didn't come from Chelsea to sit on the bench. The pressure on Rosenberg, Sanogo and Almeida will surely grow.

bundesliga.de: What is Werder's outlook this season?

Bode: Werder are among the three or four clubs that could win the title. I think it's a closer affair at the top and Werder can use a player of Pizarro's quality, and not only up front. Claudio is a striker who also works in defence, and that's always important for a team.

Interview: Dirk Burkhardt / Translation: Christof Greiner

[source]

17-08-08
New layout!
Since it's a new season I thought a new layout could be good. I really like this one (I was tired of the other one). I've added a few new things like the 'standings', a tagboard and links to the fanlisting and gallery. Hope you like it!

16-08-08
Pizarro happy as Chelsea boost loan deal by part-funding wages
Claudio Pizarro expressed his gratitude to Chelsea yesterday after they agreed to pay £20,000 of his weekly wage to prevent a loan move to Werder Bremen falling through.

The out-of-favour Peru striker was desperate to escape his Stamford Bridge misery but feared he would be denied a fresh start after the Germans baulked at his £55,000-a-week pay packet.

Pizarro, a target for Hull and Stoke , said: ‘Chelsea have been very helpful and I would like to thank them.'

[source]

15-08-08
Pizarro on loan to Werder Bremen
Chelsea Football Club and Werder Bremen have agreed terms for the one year loan of Claudio Pizarro.

The Peruvian international signed for the club last summer from Bayern Munich, where he played for six seasons after joining from Werder.

For Chelsea, Claudio scored on his competitive debut at home to Birmingham City in the league, and went on to make 31 appearances during 2007/8, scoring two goals.


[news archive]