Cambiasso ready for Bremen challenge

Champions FC Internazionale Milano will aim to register their first victory in this season's UEFA Champions League when they take on SV Werder Bremen at San Siro on Wednesday, although midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is expecting another tough test. "We have always had hard games against them, home and away," the Argentinian international said.

The Nerazzurri were held to a 2-2 draw at FC Twente in their opening Group A fixture, and suffered a domestic setback on Saturday, losing 1-0 to AS Roma. Cambiasso acknowledges the Serie A titleholders have issues to iron out, yet is quietly confident. "It's inevitable to have some problems, it happens every year," the former Real Madrid CF player explained. "But at the end of the season, the club that has managed to solve its problems ends up celebrating trophies. We're not worried at all."

Cambiasso was a key part of José Mourinho's historic treble-winning side last term, and remains an important figure under new boss Rafael Benítez. The experienced ball-winner, 30, is keen to reassure supporters after the Roma loss. "I want our fans to know we have no fear," he said. "We have a winning mentality and, even if we have problems sometimes, they have to know we face up to them. We're not indifferent. We analysed Saturday's match and have talked about it. We have a group of players who are ambitious and want to win, and personally I think we're in an enviable position. We've already won a trophy [the Italian Super Cup] this season."

With Bremen also drawing their opening group game 2-2, against Tottenham Hotspur FC, the section could not be tighter. Thomas Schaaf's men have already claimed a notable scalp in Italy after edging past UC Sampdoria in the UEFA Champions League play-offs, and Cambiasso is taking nothing for granted. "Bremen are a strong team with a strong mentality and they showed it in the play-offs when everybody thought they were going to be eliminated. They have good forwards and we will have to pay attention as usual."

Benítez will give late fitness tests to strikers Diego Milito and Goran Pandev but is without injured captain Javier Zanetti. Schaaf has problems of his own, with several key players out, including Torsten Frings and Claudio Pizarro. "Both teams are missing important players," Cambiasso said. "But I'm sure the players who come into our side will play well."