Thiam: "Special game"

The Wolves skipper Pablo Thiam is suffering with a hardened muscle injury at the moment. His chances of making the starting line-up in the Bundesliga round 4 clash away to Hertha in Berlin on Sunday (11.09.05, kick off 5.30 pm), are considered to be only 50-50. In his weekly Captain's Corner interview with this website, Pablo looks ahead to the clash in Berlin, and admits that it is a very special game for him because he lives in Berlin. Several of his friends will be at the match, so a victory there on Sunday would be doubly sweet for the Wolves skipper. Thiam also says what he thinks about the tough FA Cup second round tie away to Werder Bremen.

Pablo, you watched your national team side Guinea beat Malawi 3-1, mostly from the bench. You came off after only ten minutes, what happened and how are you?

Pablo Thiam: I had a hardened muscle during training on Thursday. After that, I only trained lightly in order to be able to play. As the match started, things looked to be going well. After a few minutes however, I felt the muscle closing up. I came off as a precautionary measure.

Are you in danger of missing the trip to Berlin on Sunday?

Pablo Thiam: My chances are no better than 50-50. We will treat the injury during the week. I will resume training tomorrow and if all goes well, I will play in Berlin.

The second round FA Cup draw paired the Wolves away to Werder Bremen. Holger Fach said that it is not exactly a dream draw, what do you think?

Pablo Thiam: Bremen is a very uncomfortable opponent. We have stood up to them in the past, and our current form means that we have a good chance. Maybe it is to our advantage that we go into the game as the underdogs.

Until now, the Wolves have lost four times in the cup against Werder in as many games. In the 2003/4 season, the Wolves lost 1-3 after extra time in the second round. How important are those kind of statistics ahead of the clash in October.

Pablo Thiam: Bremen was mentally stronger than we were during our last cup meetings. We have often been on the verge of victory, only to lose by making mistakes. That has to change if we are to progress to the next round.

On Sunday, the Wolves face Hertha in the Olympic stadium in Berlin in round four of the Bundesliga. Hertha has had a stuttering start to the new season, with a draw in Hanover, a home win over Frankfurt and a 0-3 drubbing away to Bayern. How strong is the side coached by Falko Götz?

Pablo Thiam: I think that Hertha is a very strong side, especially with Marcelinho, Kovac and Bastürk in midfield. It will be a tough match because they also have a good defence including the German international Arne Friedrich, who is a fine player. We know all about them and we can beat them, we will try to do just that on Sunday.

What do the Wolves have to do in order to get points in Berlin?

Pablo Thiam: We have to continue to function as a team as we have been doing recently, and make sure that our dangerous strikers have enough chances, if we manage to do that, we will look good in Berlin.

You live in Berlin, is the game on Sunday a special one for you?

Pablo Thiam: It is a special game for me because many of my friends will be at the game. I am looking forward to it and of course would love to win there. Our job is to continue our positive form regardless of whom we play.

Thank you for the interview Pablo and we have our fingers crossed that you can play on Sunday.