Pizarro pumped up after San Siro strike

Having kept Werder Bremen's UEFA Champions League bid alive with a vital equaliser at FC Internazionale Milano, Claudio Pizarro admitted he "loves playing" at the Italian outfit's iconic San Siro home.

Bremen lifeline
Pizarro scored against Inter two years ago when FC Bayern München ran out 2-0 winners at exactly the same stage of the competition and the Peruvian marksman again rose to the occasion to give Bremen a point to add to the one they attained against Anorthosis Famagusta FC two weeks ago. The match had looked to be running away from Thomas Schaaf's side in a first half dominated by the Italian champions, but the visitors never gave up and on 62 minutes, the 29-year-old stole into the area to give his side a 1-1 draw and a lifeline.

'Lucky ground'
"We're very satisfied with getting a point here because it's not an easy place to come," he told uefa.com. "But I love playing here. It seems to be a lucky ground for me. Playing at such a fantastic stadium in front of so many supporters is an incredible experience and now we're back in the running because the 1-1 draw puts us in an excellent position. We play Panathinaikos [FC] in our next match and that represents a great chance to get three points – we expect to win that one."

Missed chances
Pizarro could even have emerged the match-winner had he managed to put away another opportunity in the last seconds of the game. The former Chelsea FC striker had already hit the post in the first half when well placed to score and he passed up another presentable chance when Naldo's ferocious free-kick proved too hot for Júlio César to handle. The rebound fell into Pizarro's path, but he could only direct his snapshot wide.

'Satisfied'
"I could have maybe won the match at the end," he added. "It was a good chance in the last minute but unfortunately it took me a bit by surprise. I was slightly wrong-footed and couldn't readjust my feet in time to shoot properly. It wasn't to be, but that's OK. I'm not quite 100 per cent fit yet but when I am, that's when you'll see the best of me. On the whole, we're very satisfied with getting a point here because it's not an easy place to come."