Germans Face Euro Test

After Hamburg's dismal 1-0 loss to CSKA Moscow effectively ended their Champions League hopes on Tuesday, Germany's two other representatives return to European action on Wednesday.

Werder Bremen take on reigning champions Barcelona who aim to continue their perfect start to their Champions League title defense at the Weserstadion while Bayern Munich are in Italy to face Inter Milan.

Barcelona crushed Levski Sofia 5-0 in their first Group A match and hope to beat Bremen for the third time inside the last 12 months after defeating the German team home and away -- 3-1 and 2-0 -- at the same stage of last season's competition.

"Now we need to crank it up," said former Porto midfielder Deco, who has won the title twice in the past three seasons. "We want to win in Bremen like we did last year and that would be a great start to the Champions League defense."

While Barcelona already have the comfort of three points on the board, Bremen have yet to register after losing their opening fixture 2-0 to Chelsea.

Defeat to Spanish champions Barcelona would leave Bremen with a mountain to climb to qualify for the knockout stage with Frank Rijkaard's team and Chelsea already having a head start.

Bremen's strike force struggling for fitness

The fitness of German international attacker Miroslav Klose, the golden boot winner at the World Cup, is crucial for Bremen and they are praying he is fit for Barcelona after missing the last two league matches with an ankle injury.

"First our defense was the topic of debate, now it is our attack," said Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf.

The goals have dried up for Werder with Croat marksman Ivan Klasnic and Klose injured and Schaaf may gamble on the latter.

"It is possible that he (Klose) could play," Schaaf said.

Bremen are also without Brazilian playmaker Diego who injured his knee in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Hamburg.

Bremen's suspect defense will certainly be tested by Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho and Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o, with the intelligent Deco supplying the ammunition, but Bremen's German international Tim Borowksi is not afraid.

"We need to have more confidence in ourselves against Barcelona," Borowski said. "We must go in with no fear."

If Bremen's players want to achieve that they would be well advised not to watch the tape of Barcelona's 4-0 drubbing of their league rivals Bayern Munich in a recent friendly match.

Bayern look to build on Moscow win

Bayern themselves will face a tough time in Milan against an Inter side fielding a rejuvenated and in-form Hernan Crespo.

"At the moment things are going well for me and, most of all, for Inter," Crespo told Inter's website. "(The Bayern game) will be hard match, but a nice one to play in."

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness said Inter were strong favorites to win the tie.

"They're a class above us this season," he said.

Podolski out of form; Hargreaves injured

Lukas Podolski, the pin-up boy of German football who has failed to score a league goal for Bayern since his summer move from FC Cologne, is expected to start on the bench.

The German international, whose stock rose dramatically after his impressive World Cup performances, was dropped for Saturday's match at Alemannia Aachen, which Bayern won 2-1.

However, despite his poor form, the determined 21-year-old believes he will soon start hitting the net.

"Things are not going how I thought they would," Podolski said. "Of course I am disappointed not to be playing. It irritates me -- otherwise I would not be a real footballer. But my time will come and I will score my goals here. I am not gripped by fear of failing at Bayern."

Bayern's most notable absentee will be Owen Hargreaves. The England midfielder suffered a fractured left leg earlier this month and is unlikely to return for several weeks.

Bayern, who like Inter are top of their domestic league, began their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win over Spartak Moscow.