Diego does it for Schaaf

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf singled Diego out for praise after the Brazilian playmaker scored two penalties against NK Dinamo Zagreb in a 3-2 win that propelled the German side back into the UEFA Champions League 4-3 on aggregate.

Diego double
Leading 2-1 from the first leg of their third qualifying round tie, Bremen silenced the home crowd at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb when Diego tucked away a 13th-minute penalty. An entertaining match swung from end to end as Ognjen Vukojević equalised before Boubacar Sanogo restored Bremen's advantage. Luka Modrić's penalty brought the home side level for a second time only for Diego to put the tie beyond doubt with another penalty with 20 minutes to play.

Schaaf delight
"I think we looked like a team out there and our players carried out their roles very well," Schaaf said. "Against a very good team we showed some quality play. Diego created all our dangerous attacks and he scored twice, so he is one of the crucial players who have taken us to the Champions League. I think it's a real achievement to qualify for the Champions League group stage four years in a row and I think my team confirmed their quality."

Draw hopes
Last year Bremen were unfortunate to be drawn in a group that included the then English and Spanish champions, Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona, and Schaaf is hoping things fall more kindly for his side in Monaco this afternoon. "It's a bit early to say anything about our chances and ambitions in the group stage, but I hope we don't get a tough group," Schaaf said.

'Experience'
Zagreb went out at the same stage of the competition against Arsenal FC last season and though downcast, coach Branko Ivanković believed his side had acquitted themselves well over the two legs. "Even though Werder are more experienced and have more quality, I believe we were very close to springing a surprise. We dictated the rhythm and tried to put them under pressure throughout the match.

'Determination and courage'
"We took risks and knew it could be dangerous against a team like Werder. We managed to score twice and I believe we could have scored two more in the second half. My players showed determination and courage and I think maybe 3-3 would have been a fairer result. But our fans are the real winners here. They came and supported us in the best possible way."