That’s just the way to start the year!! Werder Bremen had no problems in their Victoria Cup opener in Antalya, Turkey this evening and got the Green-Whites footballing year off to a positive start with a 2:0 win over SC Freiburg. Both Werder goals were scored by Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg (22’, 52’). Thomas Schaaf’s men could take their first title of the year this coming Saturday with a win against Bundesliga rivals FC Schalke 04 (live on DSF at 6pm).

The game started well for the team from Germany’s top flight and by half-times the statistics told a story all of their own. The ‘Visitors’ from Bremen had had twelve shots on goal, compared to Freiburg’s sole effort (Matmour, 16’). After a sluggish start, Werder began to create chances at will and pushed their second division opponents very definitely onto the back foot.

Double chance for Naldo

Markus Rosenberg had the best chance to give his side an early lead as he rounded Freiburg keeper Michael Langer with just eight minutes on the clock, but luckily for SC, defender Pavel Krmas was able to clear off the goal-line. The new SC keeper (recently signed from VfB Stuttgart) was in the thick of it again soon after, firstly making a good save from a powerful Naldo free-kick and then denying the Brazilian again with his header from the resulting corner.

If Naldo was out of luck, it was a different story for Markus Rosenberg. The Swede pounced on a terribly poorly played pass by Andreas Ibertsberger. The Austrian international had been put under pressure by Aaron Hunt and played the ball across his own penalty area to the feet of Rosenberg who kindly accepted, rounded Langer and slotted home to make it 1:0 (22’).

Easy night for Wiese

Thomas Schaaf’s men were well worth their goal and should have increased their lead before the break with Per Mertesacker (27’), Rosenberg (29’), Naldo (31’) and Tim Borowski (33’) all failing to convert their openings. Tim Wiese was only once called into action in the first period, when he had to advance quickly from his line to clear from karim Matmour (42’).

SC coach Robin Dutt opted for a more attacking approach after the break and brought two striker in the form of Henrich Bencik and Cafu but there was to be no joy for the second division side. Werder remained in the driving seat and put the game beyond their opponents with a second Rosenberg strike as he got on the end of a defence splitting pass from Tim Borowski – 2:0 (52’).

Aaron Hunt could have made it three for the Green-Whites before Thomas Schaaf made his first changes with Jurica Vranjes, John Jairo Mosquera and Ivan Klasnic replacing Hunt, Hugo Almeida and double goal scorer Rosenberg (63’). Not long after, the Bremen coach mixed things up again with Leon Andreasen and max Kruse coming on for Petri Pasanen and Dusko Tosic (69’).

Win secure

With the second period drawing on, the game lost its way somewhat with both sides showing clear signs off feeling the strain of their current training camps. Freiburg were never really in any position to threaten their superior opponents and Werder were able to play out a win to set up a ‘Final’ with Schalke on Saturday.

John Muldoon

SC Freiburg – Werder Bremen 0:2 (0:1)

Werder Bremen: Wiese – Pasanen (69. Andreasen), Mertesacker, Naldo, Tosic (69. Kruse) - Baumann, Jensen, Borowski, Hunt (63. Vranjes) – Almeida (63. Klasnic), Rosenberg (63. Mosquera)

Goals: 0:1 (22') Rosenberg, 0:2 (52') Rosenberg

Yellow card(s): Borowski