Klasnić caps Bremen progress

Ivan Klasnić scored 12 minutes from time as Werder Bremen cruised into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, setting up a tie with Rangers FC after overwhelming SC Braga 4-0 on aggregate.

Changes
Already with one foot firmly in the next round after a comprehensive 3-0 first-leg triumph in north-west Germany, the visitors took their foot off the gas in Portugal. Despite the home side opting to rest the likes of goalkeeper Paulo Santos, it was they that made much of the running even if it was Bremen that enjoyed the better of the chances. Hugo Almeida hit the crossbar before Klasnić crowned an impressive win towards the end of the second half, taking the ball past stand-in keeper Paweł Kieszek and slotting into the open goal.

Wender threat
Without playmaker Diego, among others, Thomas Schaaf's team lined up with defending their advantage apparently on their minds. They possibly sat too deep early on and Braga almost profited when Wender rattled the upright after only 14 minutes. The livewire Brazilian went close again soon after when he headed a free-kick millimetres wide of the same post, and it proved a wakeup call for the visitors. They began to show some forward impetus of their own and Hugo Almeida hit the woodwork himself eleven minutes before half-time when his strike from the edge of the box cannoned back off the bar.

Wiese save
The second half began in similar vein to the first, however, with Braga showing much of the desire, if not the application and it was not until 19 minutes from time that Tim Wiese was forced into a worthwhile save, keeping out Matheus's effort. Seven minutes later it was Bremen that grabbed the winner as Daniel Jensen sent through a long, lofted ball which Klasnić controlled with his chest to bypass Kieszek before firing in.