Bremen's Claudio Pizarro: 'The Nordderby is the most important game of the season'
In his eighth season at SV Werder Bremen and 17th in the Bundesliga, Claudio Pizarro knows everything there is to know about the Nordderby against Hamburger SV.
In an exclusive pre-match interview with bundesliga.com, the Bundesliga's record foreign goalscorer discussed Bremen's Matchday 12 assignment in Hamburg, before giving his two pennies worth on the front-runners for the 2016/17 Torjägerkanone.
Watch: Find out who came out on top in our FIFA 17 simulation of the Nordderby:
bundesliga.com: It's the Nordderby against HSV on Matchday 12. You've played in some of the biggest stadiums in the world and won numerous titles. Is the Nordderby still that extra bit special?
Claudio Pizarro: Yes, definitely. When I came to Germany in 1999, the importance of the two games against HSV was drilled into me. For me it's still the most important game of the season.
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bundesliga.com: The two northern clubs haven't made the best start to the season. Both HSV and Bremen are both in a relegation scrap. Does this season's derby carry even more significance given that both sides really need the points?
Pizarro: I think so. Both teams are not where they want to be. It's going to be difficult because we've got to go to Hamburg, but anything can happen in the derby.
Follow this link for the Hamburg vs Bremen Match Centre!
bundesliga.com: Last season HSV did the double over Bremen for the first time in a good while. Is revenge on your minds this weekend?
Pizarro: You're right: we lost both games last season. The Bundesliga is always writing new stories, though. We'll see what happens.
"I've got a lot of catching up to do in the race for the Torjägerkanone!"
bundesliga.com: As the Bundesliga's all-time leading foreign marksman, there's no doubting your qualities as a goalscorer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Modeste lead the current scoring charts. Who's going to win the race for the Torjägerkanone?
Pizarro: I think it's a two-way battle between Aubameyang and my former teammate Robert Lewandowski. Unlike the other candidates, they have the advantage of playing for clubs that play attacking football and score lots of goals.
bundesliga.com: Level with Aubameyang on 12 goals, 1. FC Köln striker Anthony Modeste is a surprise name on the list. How do you rate the Frenchman?
Pizarro: Modeste is having a fantastic season and 1. FC Köln have made great progress. They're showing just how strong they are at the moment.
Watch: The top five goal celebrations of the season so far:
bundesliga.com: Now you're back to full fitness again, have you got it in you to force your way into the reckoning?
Pizarro: Obviously that's going to be tough, but I'll try. I've got a lot of catching up to do! (laughs).
Claudio Pizarro was speaking to Alexander Barklage