Werder eager for Nou Camp showdown

BREMEN, Germany, Oct 19 (Reuters) Werder Bremen are eyeing a Nou Camp showdown with Barcelona that could send them through to the last 16 of the Champions League, while knocking the holders out of Europe.

Werder's 2-0 win over Levski Sofia on Wednesday took them level on four points with Barcelona, who lost 1-0 away to Group A leaders Chelsea.

The German side's final three games are away to Levski on October. 31, at home to Chelsea on Nov. 22 and away to Barcelona on December. 5.

If they manage to win the first of those games -- and Levski are bottom of the group without a point -- it will give them the chance to finish above Barcelona with victory in the Catalan capital, even if they lose against Chelsea in the mean time.

''Barcelona look like being our direct rivals now,'' midfielder Jurica Vranjes told reporters after goals from Brazilians Naldo and Diego gave Werder their win on Wednesday.

''I think we have the chance to knock the champions out.'' Werder have every reason to be confident after having much the better of their 1-1 draw with Barcelona at the Weserstadion last month.

Their performance against Levski was less spectacular but coach Thomas Schaaf was particularly satisfied to see them play with such conviction in defence, with Naldo and Per Mertesacker forming a rock steady partnership at centre-back.

''We were not brilliant but it was a very important win,'' Schaaf said. ''We controlled the game and restricted them to very few chances.

''You can't just suppose you're going to win every game 3-0 or 6-0 and play dream football every time.'' REUTERS PM RK1721