As Tottenham embark upon their greatest European adventure for nearly 50 years, Harry Redknapp is set to turn to the two players brought in to cement the club's position at football's top table.
Summer signings William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart arrived in very different circumstances but both have a key role to play if Spurs are to make a lasting impact on the biggest stage.
Chairman Daniel Levy only sanctioned a deal for Gallas on the basis Champions League football would be secured as Redknapp looked to find an able deputy — or first-rate partner — for Ledley King. And talk of the 33-year-old as a possible captain only underlines the regard in which he is held by his new manager.
Van der Vaart was the product of Levy raiding Europe in search of a last-minute bargain and finding a player of high repute at excellent value. Redknapp was understandably acquiescent, despite declaring his squad was agreeable without the Dutchman.
The pair made their debuts in last weekend's 1-1 draw at West Brom to end a sustained period without first-team football and the dangers of a second match in four days makes their participation in the Weserstadion this evening uncertain.
Gallas and Van der Vaart may be temperamental souls but their positions in the starting line-up would bring considerable pedigree to Tottenham and help bridge the gulf in experience that may prove their undoing.
Naivety nearly cost them their chance in the main event as Young Boys made Spurs badly fluff their opening lines in the final audition. So the temptation must be great to throw in a duo that have played 93 Champions League games between them.
"They both did very well but it was their first game and they haven't played at all," Redknapp said.
"I have got to see what effect that game has had them before I decide whether they play. That was Van der Vaart's first 90 minutes since before the World Cup and William's first 90 minutes since the World Cup.
"They were both completely wiped out at the end of the game on Saturday — it was tough for them. I have got to see how they feel and take it from there.
Read More
"But I was pleased with both of them and they both have great experience and know-how. They have been there and done it all. Their experience would be important in a game like this but it is whether I feel they are ready to play again so quickly."
Redknapp has several key decisions to make and must learn fast because although his opposite number is 14 years younger, Bremen manager Thomas Schaaf has considerably more experience in the competition.
Schaaf spent his entire playing career at Bremen and has been manager of the club since May 1999 — a rare longevity no matter where you look in Europe — and takes charge of his 100th UEFA match tonight.
Redknapp has just 20 games under his belt but the 63-year-old insists he has learned the lessons of playing with a 4-4-2 line-up away from home in Europe after Young Boys brutally exposed the deficiencies of such a system by racing to a 3-0 lead in Berne.
"At times, especially in Europe, it is difficult to go away from home and play 4-4-2," he said.
"If they overload the midfield, you'll get outnumbered. It'll be very difficult, you'll get overrun; a little bit like England were against Germany at the World Cup. You have to be very careful how you play so we will look at that."
Redknapp seems certain to opt for a five-man midfield, with Peter Crouch or Roman Pavlyuchenko deployed as a lone forward. The probable absence of Luka Modric — he did not train last night and was described as a "major doubt" — is likely to see Van der Vaart used as a link man behind the striker.
Gallas brings a resolve to Tottenham's defence and former Arsenal team-mate Mikael Silvestre believes his fellow Frenchman made the right decision to cross the north London divide.
"I don't know if I would have done it but when there was speculation about William going to Tottenham, I was almost sure he was going to sign because he doesn't listen to anybody else but himself," said Silvestre, who made his debut for Bremen in Saturday's goalless draw with Bayern Munich.
"He is happy, he is playing, he is in London and his family is there. I'm sure he will do well because he's a warrior and he can show the way for the Tottenham defence and the whole team."
Redknapp will be hoping for precisely that.
