"I am happy to come back"
In the first showdown this season against Wolfburg it was the first match against Werder's former playmaker Diego, who can expect a packed Weser Stadium with 40,000 spectators for his return. Despite the importance of the game, the 26-year-old Brazilian is looking forward to the return. "I am happy to come back. I still have good contact with a lot of players. And honestly, I would be surprised with whistling," Diego told the paper Kreiszeitung Syke. The Brazilian is convinced that his team will win, and his coach is sure his midfield ace will perform well. "He is professional and will not let his feelings get in the way," Magath told the Wolfsburger Allgemeinen Zeitung.
Schaaf also believes the opponents will be concentrated. "I think they will give their all to have a good match here. Wolfsburg will want to improve their situation. It will depend on us - what we allow them to do, how they get into the game," said Schaaf. If the Green-Whites can keep Diego and Co. under wraps then it would be an early birthday present. The Werder coach will turn 50 on Saturday. When asked at the official press conference if it's a good omen that the game is taking place during the week of his birthday, Schaaf answered with his usual dry humour: "It just happens to be that you have a birthday every year. That is nice, and you're happy about it and you have a celebration. I don't have the stats if we are more successful during this week. But I don't think that the result will depend on my birthday."