Rosenberg Eager to Push His Luck

Hugo Almeida's suspension looks set to give Markus Rosenberg a place in Werder Bremen's UEFA Cup final lineup, with the Swedish forward hoping the big occasion can help him get back to goalscoring form.

'Fantastic feeling'
The 26-year-old Rosenberg has scored just twice in 2009, both coming in March's 4-0 Bundesliga win against VfB Stuttgart, but joked to uefa.com: "I am saving my goals for the UEFA Cup final." He added: "It is a fantastic feeling to be so close to playing in a UEFA Cup final. It will be the biggest game I have ever played for a club; it's second only to a Champions League final. So far I have only won a Dutch Cup with Ajax so I would love to add another title to my collection."

Ups and downs
Like Rosenberg, Bremen have had an inconsistent season, reaching the UEFA Cup and German Cup finals but foundering in the league. "We have experienced a lot of downs but we are through to two finals," said the Swedish international, who sat out Saturday's 3-1 loss to bottom side Karlsruher SC with an ankle complaint. "It has been a strange season. We are used to challenging for the Bundesliga title but that did not happen. Instead we did really well in the cups. It has been a really strange season for me too. I started really well scored quite a few goals. I don't know what happened."

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Big occasion
The former Malmö FF and AFC Ajax man, who joined Bremen in January 2007, is keen to put off any analysis of his current form until after the end of the season in order to focus on the big games to come. He insists he had an inkling that a trip to the final might be on after his side drew 2-2 at San Siro to oust AC Milan in the Round of 32, and is determined to enjoy the occasion in Istanbul. "You have to enjoy a game like this," he said. "We have to go there, think positive and play our own game. You can't be scared."

Special Bremen
Even the absence of suspended playmaker Diego will not ruin the occasion, instead providing an inspiration according to Rosenberg, as the side "want to win it for Diego". Rosenberg also wants to win it for self-effacing Werder. "Bremen do not have a lot of money but normally challenge for titles. Bremen sell players for good money instead of signing players for big money. That is what makes this club special."

( Mark Bennet / UEFA )