Draw no disaster for AZ's De Zeeuw
Friday, April 6, 2007
Article summary
Demy De Zeeuw thinks AZ Alkmaar may have "more room" to unlock Werder Bremen in the return leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final after a 0-0 draw at home.
Article body
'Better away'
"We can be very satisfied that we didn't concede," said AZ midfielder Demy de Zeeuw. "I reckon there will be more room in the return [leg] because the onus will be on Werder to force the game in front of their own supporters. On a number of occasions we've played better away from home in Europe this season, so hopefully in Bremen we can do it again.
Little room
"There wasn't much room, and chances were scarce," added the 23-year-old Dutchman, who made his international debut last month. "In the first half we stretched them a bit down the wings but in the second they put more pressure on our flanks. I didn't really get the chance to show as much as I would have liked because Diego was very close to me most of the time. He's a tough opponent."
High hopes
"Our fifth clean sheet in a row," added vice-captain Tim de Cler. "That's something that we just didn't seem capable of earlier in the season." Striker Danny Koevermans was more concerned with events at the other end of the pitch. "We had a lot more chances in the second half, maybe because we were more direct. It's a shame Moussa [Dembélé] didn't bury his shot, because I feel a 1-0 victory would have been merited. But we're definitely in with a shout - we can draw and still go through."
'Great platform'
There was plenty of optimism in the visitors' camp as well. German international Torsten Frings said: "0-0 is a great platform to build on, and we have a very good chance of proceeding. But we certainly don't underestimate AZ because we're fully aware of what they're capable of. I think the match will be more open in Bremen, as we both have to get a result."
Klose progress
Team-mate and fellow international Miroslav Klose was content with the outcome, and also with his own progress, saying: "I found it quite hard in the first half, but felt my strength and touch returning after the break." Klose is still recovering from a blood disorder that has affected his recent performances and forced him to miss training. "Both teams maybe had too much respect for each other, but next week it's up to us to finish off the tie."
