Balls-Up Cost Us The Game

Mar 9 2008 By Euan Mclean

(And I Don't Mean Our Keeper's Howlers Says Bremen Midfielder Daniel Jensen)

BONKERS Bremen star Daniel Jensen is blaming the ball for the UEFA Cup beating and warned they'll be a different side on their own pitch with their own football.

The winger's bizarre excuse came after cock-up keeper Tim Wiese flapped at both Rangers' goals in last Thursday's 2-0 triumph.

Jensen reckons the Nike ball used at Ibrox is lighter and flies about more than the Adidas ones normally seen in the Bundesliga.

And the 28-year-old is convinced that's why his keeper was caught out for Daniel Cousin's freak opening goal just before half-time.

Jensen said: "I didn't expect it to be that tough at Rangers but I think the ball was not good for our game.

"The pitch is maybe OK but the ball just doesn't fit that pitch. It was bobbling a lot and quite difficult to control and it's something all the players felt.

"You must have that in mind and we made a couple of mistakes which led to the goals. The Nike balls are not easy for the goalkeeper because they move in the air and take a curve.

"We don't use the Nike ball much, it's more Adidas in Germany.

"I believe when you make it to the semi-final they insist you use the same ball but before that it's quite right for the home team to pick their ball of choice and use any advantage they can.

"But you'll see a different Bremen in front of our own fans, on our own pitch and of course with our own footballs."

As excuses go it's up there with Sir Alex Ferguson blaming Manchester United's grey away kit for a 3-1 doing by Southampton in 1996.

And Rangers star Charlie Adam was quick to rubbish Jensen's excuse.

Adam revealed the Rangers squad train every day with the Nike - which is also the official ball to the English Premiership - and reckons he has never struggled to adjust on a Saturday when using the SPL's favoured Mitre.

Charlie said: "We use that Nike every day in training and you've seen in the Premiership the way it moves.

"I was standing behind Daniel's shot and it definitely moved so maybe the goalie only saw that at the last minute and it has gone in. It's a different ball to the one we use in the SPL but it doesn't make any difference.

"At the end of the day a ball's a ball and if you kick it the right way it will go in the net.

"You can't use the ball as an excuse but it's up to Bremen.

"We just concentrated on what we had to do and got a great result. It was vital to take a lead to Bremen but we're not getting carried away because we know the second leg will be tough."

The trip to Germany could have been a far more comfortable prospect had it not been for a superb saving tackle by giant Brazilian defender Naldo to deny sub Lee McCulloch what seemed a certain third goal in the closing minutes of the Ibrox showdown.

Jensen believes that moment could prove a major turning point in the tie as it kept alive the Bundesliga side's hopes of a dramatic comeback.

The Danish star said: "Naldo's tackle was crucial. Now in the second leg if we can get a goal in the first half then you never know, it could turn into a really interesting game.

"It wouldn't have been over if it had gone to 3-0 but it would certainly have been more difficult to come back.

"Now we just need one goal and we're back in the game and the pressure is on.

"I felt we were unlucky in Glasgow. If you look at the first half you would see we had most of the ball. Rangers were only dangerous from free-kicks and corners and we did well until 44 minutes when we went behind.

"I felt for our keeper and know what he is going through.

"It's an important game for us and one minute before half-time he makes a huge mistake.

"You could feel the upset in Tim in the dressing-room but it's something he has to tackle and get over.

"I expect him to come out with his confidence intact. You need a little luck sometimes in big games and if it had still been 0-0 at half-time things might have been different.

"Rangers are a good team in front of their fans but we still have hope.

"Anything can happen against Ranger but we have to do more with our corners and free-kicks.

"If we can score in the first half then with our style of playing we have a chance.

"We have to go for it and hope for some luck this time."