The Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti is confident his team will bounce back from Sunday's derby defeat in tonight's Champions League Group B showdown against Werder Bremen. Jose Mourinho's outfit lost 1-0 to arch-rivals AC Milan in a thrilling match, ending the champions' unbeaten run in Serie A this term. However, Inter have now put that behind them with Zanetti hoping they can pick up where they left off in their 2-0 win at Panathinaikos in the opening fixture.
"Milan won the derby but we look ahead with optimism," said Zanetti, 35. "We must try to get our second win in the Champions League." Mourinho added: "I like to say that when we win, it is the merit of my players and when we lose it's my fault. Hence, this defeat was lost by me, but it's nothing to worry about." The Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf has been working hard with his defence ahead of the clash. With 18 goals in six Bundesliga games so far, scoring does not seem to be a problem for Bremen, but the number of goals conceded is worrying.
On Saturday, five goals were only just good enough against Hoffenheim in a 5-4 win. "There was certainly a lack of concentration since we led 4-1. That will not happen against Inter," said Schaaf. * PA Sport
