| Match Pictures | Matches: 1988 – 1989 | 1988-1989 Pictures |
Trivia
- All ticket match.
- Weder Bremen have been German champions for two successive seasons.
- Bremen's colours are green and white so they play in all red change strip.
Review
Werder Bremen were a powerful, talented side who were well organised at the back.
Celtic lacked invention though they were unlucky when McAvennie first saw the keeper save his 18 yarder and then shortly after he hit the post after a McGhee cross.
With Celtic having their best spell in the match the Germans struck when Wolter caught the Celts' defence sqaure and he ran on to score.
Despite further pressure Celtic did not look like retrieving the match before the end.
Teams
CELTIC:
P Bonner; C Morris, A Rogan, R Aitken, M McCarthy, D Whyte, W Stark (T Burns 65), P McStay, F McAvennie, M McGhee (A Walker 65), J Miller.
WERDER BREMEN: O Reck; T Schaaf, G Hermann, R Bratseth, T Kutzop, U Borowka, T Wolter, G Votava, K-H Riedle, F Neubarth (Otten 80), J Ordenewitz.
Scorer: Wolter (58)
Referee: E Sorieno (Spain).
Att: 50,624
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
The Times (London, England) (Oct 27, 1988)
Byline: Roddy Forsyth
Celtic 0 Werder Bremen 1
Despite a night of fiercely expended energy, Celtic discovered that the limits of their skill did not extend to embarrassing Werder Bremen, the West German champions. After coming agonizingly close to scoring twice through Frank McAvennie shortly after half time, Celtic suffered the loss of a counter-punching goal from Wolter which almost certainly spells the end of European involvement for the Scottish champions this season. Celtic were offered another intimation of their frailty in defence when Riedle displayed notable bravery in chasing a through ball from midfield through a fissure suddenly exposed to Bonner's left. The Irish goalkeeper moved out to challenge but was beaten to the mark by his opponent who headed the ball over the Celtic man only to see it drift wide of the post. Riedle lay prone, injured by the impact of the collision with Bonner, but it was Celtic who were stung by the frequency of their escapes. They resumed operations in the second half with, if anything, even more energy and commitment and for 10 minutes the omens at last looked favourable for the Scots. As they foraged around the edge of the Bremen penalty area, McGhee's short pass offered McAvennie a sight of goal. The forward was alert to the opportunity and struck the ball crisply away from Reck but it hit the post. The Germans survived further damage from McAvennie when Aitken saw him running shrewdly into space. As McAvennie gathered the ball he switched quickly to shoot with his right foot. The looping drive was accurate and venomous but Reck hurled himself to intercept and deflect the ball over his crossbar with a fist. Celtic's frustration turned into impotence when the lonely Wolter made quick ground and arrogantly timed his rising shot past Bonner. Thereafter, Celtic's play declined into a frenetic series of charges as Bremen entrenched comfortably to protect their lead. Otto Rehagel, the Bremen coach, promised that his players would go forward whenever the opportunity was presented and within two minutes no fewer than five scarlet-shirted visitors attacked in line, a rare sight in European football. The Scottish champions quickly replied in kind, but the next menacing thrust was produced by Bremen. Long before the final whistle, the home support, its roars muted and then stilled, had begun to make for the exits. Now it appears that the Scottish champions are bound for a similar destination in this tournament.