Yuito Suzuki’s hat-trick powers Freiburg to a 4-1 Bundesliga win

SC Freiburg defeated Werder Bremen 4-1 at Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, winning their Bundesliga regular-season opener after leading 2-0 at half-time. The result leaves Freiburg listed 10th in the Bundesliga table and Werder 12th; both teams are shown with zero points from zero games and records of 0W 0D 0L in the supplied standings. No recent form data was available for either side.

Suzuki sets Freiburg on course

Freiburg controlled the first half and took the lead in the 29th minute. Yuito Suzuki finished a move assisted by J. Beste, giving Julian Schuster’s 4-2-3-1 an advantage against Daniel Thioune’s 4-3-3. Freiburg then doubled the lead just before the interval when Igor Matanović scored in the 45th minute, with M. Ginter providing the assist.

The decisive spell came immediately after the break. Suzuki scored again in the 48th minute, then completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute after an assist from Matanović. Those two goals turned a two-goal lead into a commanding 4-0 margin. Freiburg’s first-half attacking work and fast start to the second half left Bremen facing a substantial deficit.

Bremen find a late response

Werder did reduce the deficit in the 76th minute. Dariusz Stalmach scored with an assist from Marco Grüll, but the goal did not lead to a further comeback. Stalmach had entered at half-time for S. Lynen, while C. Irie replaced Beste for Freiburg at the interval. Bremen also introduced S. Musah for J. Njinmah and C. Itten for N. Fullkrug in the 61st minute. Freiburg later changed P. Lienhart for M. Rosenfelder and L. Kubler for P. Treu in the 69th minute.

The discipline remained limited, with one yellow card for each team. L. Reis was booked for Bremen in the 48th minute, while K. Goto received Freiburg’s card in the 88th. Freiburg committed 13 fouls to Bremen’s 16 and finished with six corners to five.

Statistics underline Freiburg’s control

Freiburg had the stronger overall numbers: 18 total shots to Bremen’s nine, five shots on target to three, and 53% possession to 47%. The hosts also completed 488 passes with 90% accuracy, compared with Bremen’s 427 passes at 87%. Their expected-goals figures were 1.92 to 0.48. The possession difference was modest rather than overwhelming, but Freiburg’s advantage in shot volume and chance quality matched the scoreline.

Suzuki was the standout performer, earning a 9.5 rating after scoring three goals in 80 minutes and registering three shots on target. Matanović also made a major contribution with a goal, an assist and two key passes in 73 minutes.