Werder Bremen remained perfect in the Europa League Group L with a 3-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in front of 25,000 fans at Weser Stadium. After winning 3-2 at Nacional Funchal, Werder overcame playing the final 27 minutes a man down with Aaron Hunt, Naldo and Torsten Frings scoring against the Spaniards from Bilbao.

Thomas Schaaf had to do without the injured Sebastian Boenisch and Tim Borowski, who were replaced by Petri Pasanen and Philipp Bargfrede in the starting line-up. Torsten Frings meanwhile fended off his foot injury and started the match. Bilbao began the road game defensive minded while Werder pushed forward and used their fine passing to create a number of chances.

And Bremen jumped ahead after 18 minutes through a fine goal by Aaron Hunt. Mesut Özil fed into the area Hunt, who struck a classy volley into the far left corner for the 1-0 lead. And Schaaf’s men doubled the advantage four minutes before the break. Marko Marin sent the ball into the area and Claudio Pizarro passed onto Naldo, who only needed to push the ball over the goalline from six yards out.

Pizarro nearly made it 3-0 with an 18-yard shot early in the second half which went just wide. Bremen keeper Tim Wiese needed a fine stop against Carlos Gurpegi in the 53rd minute. Werder had to worry about their lead 10 minutes later as they went a man down after Peter Niemeyer saw two yellow cards within four minutes and was sent off in the 63rd minute. The hectic final minutes proved eventful as well. Fernando Llorente pulled one goal back a minute into injury time only to see Frings make it 3-1 with a penalty three minutes into injury. And that secured Thomas Schaaf’s team their second victory in two Europa League games.

Werder Bremen: Wiese – Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Pasanen – Frings, Bargfrede (60’ Niemeyer), Hunt (89’ Oehrl), Özil – Marin (75’ Rosenberg), Pizarro; reserves: Vander- Andersen, Marcelo Moreno

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Xabi Castillo – Javi Martinez (75’ Etxeberria), Yeste – Gurpegui (46’ Muniain), Gabilondo (46’ David Lopez) – Toquero, Llorente Lopez

Goals: 1-0 (18’) Hunt; 2-0 (41’) Naldo; 2-1 (91’) Llorente; 3-1 (93’ pen) Frings

Yellow cards: Niemeyer, Hunt (both Werder), Iraola, Xabi Castillo (both Bilbao)

Yellow-red card: Niemeyer (Werder)

Referee: Alexandru Tudor (Romania)