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Although we were the first Scottish side to reach the last 16 of the Champions League we have not been in the same position in the UEFA Cup since the 2001/02. In that season Advocaat stepped aside and Eck took charge of the matches against eventual winners Feyenoord. A disappointing 1:1 home draw was followed by a 2:3 defeat over in Holland in a closlely run match involving 2 sending offs. Feyenoord beat Inter in the semi and played a Dortmund side wou had knocked the other half of Milan out in the semis. Feyenoord won the final 3:2.
I can't remember the last time we were in a European quarter final and the chances are it won't happen this season. Bremen are not as strong as they were but are still the better side here.
It's taken time for Bremen to kick start their season but they are now well in the title fight sandwiched between Bayern Munich above them and Hamburg just behind them. It says alot about the strength of this year's competition that the SPL leaders are in a last 16 containing the top 3 sides in the Bundesliga as well as the Russian and Dutch champions.
Bremen had a poor Champions Leauge campaign losing out by 5 points to Olympiakos and Real Madrid- only 1 point ahead of Lazio. They did though manage to beat Spanish Champions Real Madrid 3:2 but on the last day took a hiding, 0:3m in Greece. It was enough all in though to drop into the UEFA Cup like Rangers.
To get to the last 16 they easily disposed of Braga 3:0 at home and 1:0 away. It has to be said though that Braga are extremely poor at the moment and going through a bit of a crisis. It's more their dometic form which has cause for concern as Rangers fans.
Their home form has been good this season in all competitions and this has seen them sit second in the Bundesliga. Away from home though they have not been that clever. Since a 2:0 win at Cottbus back at the end of November the win in Portugal is their only away win in all competative matches. They did get a creditable draw away to Bayern Munich in the league but in every other away game they have lost- the most recent being a 0:1 defeat at Frankfurt but Diego was sent off after 40 minutes in that match.
We'll have our work cut out but it does have to be said that this won't be our most difficult home game this season. Bremen for me are better than Rangers but not in the class of Lyon or Barcelona. They are better than Stuttgart though. It will be a difficult match.
It will be the 4-5-1 once more and I think it might be Cousin as the lone striker. Our midfield should be much the same as it has been for the last 2 matches. Dailly should play with Ferguson and Davis around about him. McCulloch will probably come in but it will be interesting to see if it's Adam or Novo on the opposite side. The backline will remain unchanged.
I'm more hopeful than expectant here. Anything from here on in is a bonus.
I can't remember the last time we were in a European quarter final and the chances are it won't happen this season. Bremen are not as strong as they were but are still the better side here.
It's taken time for Bremen to kick start their season but they are now well in the title fight sandwiched between Bayern Munich above them and Hamburg just behind them. It says alot about the strength of this year's competition that the SPL leaders are in a last 16 containing the top 3 sides in the Bundesliga as well as the Russian and Dutch champions.
Bremen had a poor Champions Leauge campaign losing out by 5 points to Olympiakos and Real Madrid- only 1 point ahead of Lazio. They did though manage to beat Spanish Champions Real Madrid 3:2 but on the last day took a hiding, 0:3m in Greece. It was enough all in though to drop into the UEFA Cup like Rangers.
To get to the last 16 they easily disposed of Braga 3:0 at home and 1:0 away. It has to be said though that Braga are extremely poor at the moment and going through a bit of a crisis. It's more their dometic form which has cause for concern as Rangers fans.
Their home form has been good this season in all competitions and this has seen them sit second in the Bundesliga. Away from home though they have not been that clever. Since a 2:0 win at Cottbus back at the end of November the win in Portugal is their only away win in all competative matches. They did get a creditable draw away to Bayern Munich in the league but in every other away game they have lost- the most recent being a 0:1 defeat at Frankfurt but Diego was sent off after 40 minutes in that match.
We'll have our work cut out but it does have to be said that this won't be our most difficult home game this season. Bremen for me are better than Rangers but not in the class of Lyon or Barcelona. They are better than Stuttgart though. It will be a difficult match.
It will be the 4-5-1 once more and I think it might be Cousin as the lone striker. Our midfield should be much the same as it has been for the last 2 matches. Dailly should play with Ferguson and Davis around about him. McCulloch will probably come in but it will be interesting to see if it's Adam or Novo on the opposite side. The backline will remain unchanged.
I'm more hopeful than expectant here. Anything from here on in is a bonus.