Already qualified Werder Bremen won their UEFA Europa League group game at home against CD Nacional Funchal in convincing fashion 4-1, taking a large step towards winning their Group L. Markus Rosenberg scored two goals for Bremen while Marcelo Moreno and Marko Marin also hit for the hosts. And Ruben Micael struck for the Portuguese.

Head coach Thomas Schaaf gave many of his usual starters a break against the Portuguese, changing his line-up in seven positions. Sebastian Mielitz, Sebastian Prödl, Petri Pasanen, Peter Niemeyer, Daniel Jensen, Markus Rosenberg and Marcelo Moreno replaced Tim Wiese, Naldo, Sebastian Boenisch, Philipp Bargfrede, Mesut Özil, Hugo Almeida and Marko Marin.

In front of 25,000 fans, Werder were slow to find their rhythm against Nacional Funchal but grabbed the critical league after 31 minutes through Markus Rosenberg. After a corner, Jensen sent a fine high cross to Moreno and the Bolivian headed against the right post with the rebound going directly to Rosenberg, who nodded home the opening goal. And Rosenberg doubled his tally just two minutes later and built the lead to 2-0. Per Mertesacker headed a corner high towards the goal line and Rosenberg stood perfectly to push the ball over the line. That gave Schaaf’s men a 2-0 lead at the break.

The guests pulled a goal back after 63 minutes on a free kick from the right side by Ruben Micael to make it 2-1. And Wiese’s replacement Mielitz made a superb save on Mateus’s tough shot just two minutes later to keep Werder ahead. Jansen failed to make it 3-1 on a counter attack as he could not overcome Rafael Bracali. But Marcelo Moreno proved more effective in the 84th minute with a fine header from a cross by Marko Marin. And then Marin scored himself in stoppage time with a classy looping chip for the 4-1 final score line. The victory extended Werder Bremen’s undefeated streak to 22 games.

Werder Bremen: Mielitz – Fritz, Prödl, Mertesacker, Pasanen – Frings, Niemeyer (79’ Marin), Hunt (46’ Borowski ), Jensen – Rosenberg, Moreno; reserves: Wiedwald – Naldo, Boenisch, Özil, Almeida

CD Nacional Funchal: Bracali – Patacas, Lopes, Cleber Monteiro, Tomasevic - Alberto, Salino (87’ Anselmo Cardoso), Micael, Pecnik - Mateus, Aurelio (74’ Amuneke)

Goals: 1-0 (31’) Rosenberg, 2-0 (34’) Rosenberg, 2-1 (63’ Micael), 3-1 (84’) Moreno, 4-1 (90’+2) Marin

Yellow cards: Tomasevic, Cleber (both Funchal)

Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel)

Weser Stadium: 25,000 spectators