All eyes on Werder Bremen's Diego

So just how good is Werder Bremen's new Brazilian signing, Diego?

Werder fans will get a first chance to judge for themselves when they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga today.

Diego, bought for six million euros from Porto in the close season, had jaws dropping across the country on his Bundesliga debut last weekend when he scored one goal and set up another two in Werder's 4-2 win away to Hanover 96.

German newspapers could not resist comparing him to Diego Maradona and his new team-mates were equally impressed.

"We're going to have a lot of fun with him," striker Ivan Klasnic told reporters after the game.

If Diego can maintain anything like his opening-day form defending champions Bayern Munich could find themselves under more pressure than anyone imagined as they bid for a hat-trick of league titles.

Victory over Leverkusen would certainly be a good sign that Werder have what it takes to push Bayern hard this season.

Leverkusen enjoyed a 3-0 win over Aachen in their opening match and have title aspirations themselves. Bayern made a solid start to their title defence, winning 2-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund.

The Bavarians are away to promoted Bochum tomorrow and will be confident of another three points.

Bayern lost French centre-back Valerien Ismael for six months this week when he suffered a broken shin bone in training.

Ismael had lost his place in the side to new arrival Daniel Van Buyten but coach Felix Magath will be concerned that he has little cover for the Belgian.

Bayern faced further distraction this week over reports that Owen Hargreaves was eager to accept an offer to join Manchester United.