I don’t know about you all, but I often find myself in an internal battle of club versus country. Two recent examples of this being Neuer’s howler in injury time that cost Schalke 04 Bundesliga points on Friday, and Per Mertesacker’s broken orbital bone suffered during the EURO qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Schadenfreude. Joy at someone’s misery. Am I thankful that Neuer had two good EURO qualifying matches starting in between the pegs for Germany? Of course. Do I want his club to do well? Yes and no. In the Bundesliga? Absolutely not (hence the giggle about the howler). Against Lyon in their opening Champions League match? Yes.

And, of course I was upset for Per when his face got all busted up. But, then I remembered who his club team was: Werder Bremen. And I’m not gonna lie to you; I smiled a bit. I thought, rather selfishly (I think), that Bayern’s chances beating Werder are definitely greater when Per is not on the pitch.

To segue for just a moment: I think it’s a rather German trait to root for another German team in European competition. I’ve never met, say, an English United fan that would pull for Chelsea. Perhaps this is just because Germany’s been trying to get ahead (and finally has) Italy in UEFA co-efficients? I digress...

Our biggest rivals in the last decade, Bremen haven’t given us three points at home in 5 years. And this 99th Nord – Sued derby should be a crack. Die Roten are only missing long-term absentees Arjen Robben and Breno, and are welcoming back 15 players in good form (and not injured!) from the international break.

Thomas Schaaf’s (no relation to me, by the way) injury woes include Claudio Pizzaro, and his starting center backs Naldo and the aforementioned Per. However, he is welcoming new signings Marko Arnautovic and Wesley; both who should be making their first run-outs in the midfield for Bremen. The gaps at center back should be filled by Bremen’s other new signing, Silvestre, and Sebastian Proedl; who has already been deputizing in that position.

As for Louis van Gaal’s men? BILD ran a piece stating that Ivica Olic will be starting instead of Miroslav Klose. This is neither here nor there, I think, as with Champions League competition opening up next week, everybody will get playing time. Other than that, expect an unchanged line-up from the match against Kaiserslautern. (Oh, and expect Demichelis to pout about not staring this match, too.)

I’d venture a guess that Bremen will defend heavily, as the midfield will need to play back to assist an unsure back four. But, if we sneak in an early goal, it will force them to open up the pitch and we’ll have a chance to dominate them like the DFB Pokal finale last season. However it works out, Bayern – Bremen is always entertaining. Enjoy the match.