With a trip to FC Barcelona to come on Matchday 6, the onus is on
Werder Bremen to make home advantage count against Group A leaders
Chelsea FC on Wednesday night in order to consolidate second place
in the pool.
One game at a time
Bremen's advantage over the reigning European champions is two
points, and with Barcelona visiting PFC Levski Sofia this week,
Thomas Schaaf's men need to take as much profit as possible from
the Chelsea game. Without wishing to look too far ahead, the coach
said: "We must concentrate on the match against Chelsea and, to be
honest, I am not even thinking about what might still happen in the
group. I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I am sure
there is a lot more to come from my team. We want to beat Chelsea
to improve the good position we have put ourselves in."
Captain KO
With his captain Frank Baumann suspended, Schaaf must make at least
one change to his midfield, and the fitness of Christian Schulz,
struggling with a knee injury, could add to the alterations. "He is
in the squad and we will have to wait and see how he feels," said
the coach, whose charges drew 2-2 at TSV Alemannia Aachen at the
weekend to sit second in the Bundesliga. If fit, the 23-year-old
Schulz will play on the left of midfield, with Torsten Frings
dropping back to shield the defence.
Ballack and Cole in
Schaaf's opposite number José Mourinho also faces a midfield
reshuffle. Key man Frank Lampard is banned after picked up three
bookings and will make way for Michael Ballack, returning to
Germany after being rested for Saturday's 1-0 win against West Ham
United FC. Mourinho will also include fit-again Joe Cole at the
expense of Arjen Robben. "Joe has been a victim of the injury he
sustained during pre-season," he said. "I know how serious the
injury was and that it takes time to recover. In recent weeks he
has also been a victim of our results, because it is hard to change
a team that is winning. He is an excellent player and it is a good
chance to play him in a high-level game."
Playing to win
Chelsea, whose last match will be at home to Levski, lead Group A
by three points; not a substantial enough cushion, said Mourinho,
for them to be able to relax in anticipation of Sunday's meeting
with Premiership leaders Manchester United FC. "I only play
football to lose when I play against my kids," the Portuguese said.
"I am not here to lose this game. I will field the best possible
side to get the best possible result. This is the Champions League
and the opponents and the competition deserve respect. We still
need something to secure our place in the next round."
Probable teams
Bremen: Tim Wiese; Clemens Fritz, Naldo, Per Mertesacker,
Pierre Wome; Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings, Diego, Christian Schulz;
Aaron Hunt, Miroslav Klose.
Chelsea: Carlo Cudicini; Geremi, John Terry,
Khalid Boulahrouz, Ashley Cole; Michael Essien, Claude Makelele,
Michael Ballack, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko.
