DFB.de: You won the double with Werder in 2004. What memories do you have of the cup final against Alemannia Aachen?
Klasnic: The game wasn't so exciting as we were facing a second-division side. However, it was similar to tomorrow's game in Bayern, in that you shouldn't underestimate your opponent.
DFB.de: You also played well against Bayern in 2003/04. You won 3-1 in Munich and got on the scoresheet yourself.
Klasnic: That was certainly my favourite game against them. I had a great game against them in the Ligapokal too, when I scored both goals in a 2-0 win. However, that was in pre-season and not really relevant.
DFB.de: What would relegation mean for Werder Bremen?
Klasnic: I can't even think about that. I think it would be hard to come back up.
Ivan Klasnic was there for SV Werder Bremen's glory days. He spent seven years at the club, winning a league and cup double in the 2003/04 season. He left Bremen in 2008 and went on to play for FC Nantes, Bolton Wanderers and 1. FSV Mainz 05. He retired from the sport two years ago.
His bond with Werder Bremen remains and he will be cheering on his former side when they take on Bayern München in the DFB Cup semi-finals on Tuesday evening. In an interview with DFB.de, the 36-year-old spoke about their chances of progressing.
DFB.de: Mr Klasnic, where and how will you be following the DFB Cup semi-final between Bayern München and Werder Bremen?
Ivan Klasnic: I'll naturally be watching in front of the television.
DFB.de: Will you be hoping they do the unthinkable?
Klasnic: Certainly. Werder have played superbly away from home in the cup this season, such as in Leverkusen and in Gladbach. Nobody expected them to win those games. They're obviously massive underdogs against Bayern but Mainz managed to win in Munich. Why shouldn't Bremen pull it off? In the cup it's all about the 90 minutes. It's all or nothing.
DFB.de: Do you have your own personal record against Bayern in the back of your mind?
Klasnic: I certainly didn't lose often against Bayern.
DFB.de: That's true. Your record reads: three wins, two draws and two losses. Were Bayern not as dominant back then as they are now?
Klasnic: It's true that Bayern have dominated in recent years, but they were still a top team back when I was playing. When we played Bayern, we'd be facing players like Roy Makaay, Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger. They were all world class but we had a good team of our own at Werder, we played well and we gave a good account of ourselves against Bayern.
DFB.de: Is that perhaps because Werder would play more boldly against Bayern then? The last time they met, Bayern won 5-0 and it appeared to be a case of damage limitation for Werder.
Klasnic: It's incredibly hard to play against Bayern. When they get into their stride, they can hit you for six. Teams travelling to Munich nowadays don't expect to come away with anything, which makes it even better when a team manages it.
DFB.de: Are you expecting Werder to show a different side from the one we saw in the 5-0 loss?
Klasnic: We'll see. Everyone thinks Bayern will make light work of us but that could be Werder's biggest chance. The game is like a Champions League final for them. If they win, they travel to Berlin, which would be a huge achievement. Obviously, it wasn't the ideal draw for Werder. Playing Bayern München away from home is doubly hard. It would have perhaps been easier at home.
DFB.de: Can Werder focus completely on the cup semi-final? Or will that distract them from the relegation battle? The Nordderby against Hamburger SV is just three days afterwards.
Klasnic: I don't see things so negatively. If Werder play well in Munich, it will serve them well for the upcoming derby in Hamburg, regardless of the result. Werder have looked good against HSV, and the Bundesliga game is certainly more important than the cup clash.
DFB.de: You won the double with Werder in 2004. What memories do you have of the cup final against Alemannia Aachen?
Klasnic: The game wasn't so exciting as we were facing a second-division side. However, it was similar to tomorrow's game in Bayern, in that you shouldn't underestimate your opponent.
DFB.de: You also played well against Bayern in 2003/04. You won 3-1 in Munich and got on the scoresheet yourself.
Klasnic: That was certainly my favourite game against them. I had a great game against them in the Ligapokal too, when I scored both goals in a 2-0 win. However, that was in pre-season and not really relevant.
DFB.de: What would relegation mean for Werder Bremen?
Klasnic: I can't even think about that. I think it would be hard to come back up.
