In the third qualifying round for the Champions League, Werder will have to take on Swiss champions FC Basel This was the result of Fridays UEFA draw in Nyon. The Green-Whites must first make the journey south on 09/10.08.2005 and they back to Bremen for the return leg on 23/24.08.2005.
Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs, who represented the north German side in Nyon, Switzerland commented straight after the draw: "It's a difficult tie, we could have gotten a sportingly easier match-up. FC Basel have distinctly improved over the last few years on the international front. To add to that they are also blasting on all cylinders as their championship has already begun. But if we intend to prove ourselves a top team and mix it up with rest of the Champions League, then we have to master this task.
Head coach Thomas Schaaf was of a similar opinion but had his reservations: "There are no easy opponents in the Champions League qualification. We have followed the progress of Basel in recent years and those responsible have really put something together and they've made themselves known in the Champions League too."
Werder have had a taste of the quality of the Swiss side first hand: "During last seasons pre-season preparation we played each other and drew 3:3 which gave us a good indication of the strenght that they possess", explained Thomas Schaaf. Klaus Allofs added: "We almost played Basel again in this seasons run-up. We had intended to play them during our stay in Austria which then didn't pan out."
striker Miroslav Klose also remembers the Swiss champions from last season: "A very awkward opponent but we want to play in the Champions League and that means to beat whatever side we meet."