The post Mesut Oezil period did not begin well for Thomas Schaaf’s Werder Bremen as the club was taken to the cleaners by FC Hoffenheim.
Things began brightly enough for Werder in their Bundesliga opener as Torsten Frings converted his spot kick after Hoffenheim defender Luis Gustavo handled the ball.
The rest of the match the former German international and the rest of the Werder defense were helpless against the creative forces of Sejad Salihovic and Demba Ba who roamed the Werder half at will. Goals came from Ba, Peniel Mlapa, Vedad Ibisevic, and a well struck Salihovic free kick which gave goalie Tim Weise no chance.
Fring’s personal humiliation came from a move which began deep in Hoffenheim territory as Luis Gustavo picked his pocket to race ahead and then finding Vedad Ibisevic free on the left, released a perfect pass for the US raised striker to execute a perfect finish.