Aron Jóhannsson has been waiting since Matchday two to add to his tally of goals in the Bundesliga, when the attacker scored from the spot against Augsburg. Since then there has been somewhat of a goal drought for the 26-year-old and the return of Max Kruse in November has meant the US-International has spent most of his season coming on as a substitute. The lack of first team games has also affected the confidence. “That’s just how football is, sometimes I will miss chances and sometimes I will score” said the forward of his last few months. The goals against VfB Oldenburg in last night’s friendly would have meant so much more than simply finding the back of the net.
The first half saw Johannsson set up Claudio Pizarro to put Werder in the lead, before the American’s hard work was rewarded with two goals after the break. First he finished off a lovely solo run and eleven minutes later he doubled his tally by turning in a Justin Eilers cross. The relief was clear to see on the face of the man who had become a father in the run up to the game. “Although it was a friendly, it was still important for me to have minutes on the pitch and boost my confidence,” Johannsson told Werder.TV after the game. “Two goals and 90 minutes will do me no harm at all.”
Yesterday’s game also gave those who had not had much Bundesliga game time this season a chance to shine. Aron Jóhannsson, Ousman Manneh and Florian Kainz were those who knew to make the most of their chance. “Aron works very hard in training”, said coach Alex Nouri about his number nine. To get two goals tonight in these circumstances makes me very pleased for him.” It remains to be seen whether or not Johannsson can establish himself as a regular in Alex Nouri’s Bundesliga eleven, but you could sure gather a lot of evidnce in favour of that from last night.
