Werder Bremen v Hertha Berlin Preview

Schaaf has been in charge of the northern Germany side for 11 years now and he still looks back on that year when he looks for new motivation.

Ahead of Sunday's clash with Hertha Berlin, he said that his side once again has a chance to interrupt Bayern's superiority this season, and that they want to take it.

"We can never keep up with Bayern, but what we can do is have an odd argument with them once in a while," he told the Kreiszeitung Syke newspaper.

"We are looking to argue with them a bit more successfully than last season."

Bremen are currently second in the Bundesliga, just two points behind the leaders Bayern, who are in action against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

The signs are therefore good for Bremen after only narrowly avoiding relegation last season, but Schaaf has yet to declare the title as his side's ultimate goal.

"It would be good enough if we were to qualify for Europe," he added.

"After the good start we have made, though, we are optimistic of this being a good season."

Sunday's opponents Berlin have also enough reason to be optimistic after beating defending champions Borussia Dortmund recently.

However, their coach Markus Babbel knows his side will be up against it at the Weser Stadion.

"With Werder, we have a really tough test ahead," he admitted.

"Compared to the Dortmund game, we are going to have to play even better."

Fortunately, he can pick from a fully fit squad with only minor worries concerning the availability of Christian Lell, Michel Lasogga and Adrian Ramos.

Bremen should also be close to full strength with Claudio Pizarro and Marko Marin both back in training after shaking off knocks, but Sokratis Papastathopoulos is unavailable.