Diego determined to make advantage count
Friday, April 10, 2009
Article summary
Werder Bremen playmaker Diego already has an eye on UEFA Cup glory after scoring twice in a convincing 3-1 victory over Udinese Calcio in their quarter-final, first leg, saying: "We have to make the most of that lead."
Article top media content

Article body
Werder Bremen playmaker Diego already has an eye on UEFA Cup glory after scoring twice in a convincing 3-1 victory over Udinese Calcio in their quarter-final, first leg.
Werder goals
Two excellent strikes by the 24-year-old Brazilian set Bremen on their way, with Hugo Almeida adding a third at the Weserstadion before Fabio Quagliarella's late goal salvaged Udinese's hopes ahead of next week's game at the Stadio Friuli. "I'm really happy to have scored the two goals, because they were really important for me and for the team," Diego said. "I'm just focused on trying to win the UEFA Cup.
'Good position'
"It was a good match and to score three goals against a team like Udinese is something special, but we're not qualfied yet. A 3-0 win would have been better for sure, but Udinese are a good side and there's always the chance they're going to score. A 3-1 win is good as well and we just have to make the most of that lead to get through to the semi-finals." Bremen captain Torsten Frings was on the same wavelength, saying: "We're in a good position for the second leg and we can make it to the semis. But we shouldn't feel too safe. Udinese will do everything they can next week to try and qualify."
'Long way to go'
As for Bremen's matchwinner, Frings was measured in his praise. "Diego has done a good job, but he was put into those positions by others. He is free to do what he wants, and doesn't have to work too hard on the defensive side, but he has shown one more time why that's the case." Frings' fellow German international Per Mertesacker is one of several Bremen players – along along with tens of thousands of their fans – who would relish a northern derby in the last four against Hamburger SV, who were 3-1 winners over Manchester City FC. "It's in our hands to get to the next round," Mertesacker said. "It would be very important for us and for the whole of Germany if we could get there and a derby against Hamburg would be special. But for us and also for them, there's still a long way to go."