Zanetti eyeing Inter response

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti is confident his team will bounce back from derby defeat in the Champions League tie against Werder Bremen.

Zanetti: Bullish despite losing derby
Zanetti: Bullish despite losing derby

Jose Mourinho's outfit lost 1-0 to arch rivals AC Milan in a thrilling derby at the weekend, 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 Group B fixture.

"Milan won the derby but we look ahead with optimism," said the 35-year-old. "We must try to get our second win in the Champions League.

"There are so many games left in the season that it's early days yet.

"Mourinho told us after the game that we should think about Wednesday's encounter because there was nothing we could do about the derby result."

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."

Adriano is set to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front for the Nerazzurri and defenders Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso are likely to start, despite being suspended for Saturday's league game against Bologna.

Inter have won three of their last four matches at the San Siro.

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, but the number of goals conceded is worrying.

On Saturday, five goals were only just good enough against Hoffenheim in a 5-4 win, but Inter are of much higher calibre and a stronger defence is vital.

"With the four goals we conceded, there was certainly a lack of concentration since we led 4-1. That will not happen to us against Inter," said Schaaf.

"We want to make a good impression there. We have the potential and the self-confidence to do so.

"With three wins in a row we are on a small run which we would like to continue."

Bremen director of sport Klaus Allofs reckons Inter will be desperate to make amends for Sunday's loss but does not expect them to underestimate his side.

"They know full well who Werder Bremen are and we have earned ourselves that in recent years," he said.

"We have a good reputation in Europe and we have got to measure ourselves by that."

With Daniel Jensen and Frank Baumann both returning to training on Tuesday, Schaaf has a full squad of players to choose from - including Claudio Pizarro, who comes up against his former coach Mourinho.

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