Suzuki hat-trick fires Freiburg to 4-1 Bundesliga opening win over Bremen
Synopsis
Yuito Suzuki announced himself as one to watch in the Bundesliga 2026/27 season with a clinical hat-trick, as Freiburg dismantled Werder Bremen 4-1 at home on the opening weekend. Three goals in under 30 minutes of the second half sealed a dominant victory that sets the tone for Freiburg's campaign.
Key Takeaways
Yuito Suzuki scored a hat-trick as Freiburg beat Werder Bremen 4-1 on 31 August in the Bundesliga 2026/27 opener.
Matanovic also scored, netting just before halftime to make it 2-0 at the break.
Suzuki's second and third goals came in the 50th and 55th minutes , both assisted by teammates exploiting Bremen's build-up errors.
Substitute Dariusz Stalmach scored on his Bundesliga debut in the 76th minute as a consolation for Bremen.
Elsewhere, Augsburg beat Schalke 3-0 , with Schalke reduced to 10 men from the 62nd minute .
Yuito Suzuki scored a stunning hat-trick as SC Freiburg opened their Bundesliga 2026/27 campaign with a commanding 4-1 home victory over Werder Bremen on Sunday, 31 August. The result gave Freiburg a confident start at home, with Suzuki's treble underlining the Japanese midfielder's growing influence in the German top flight.
How the Goals Came
Bremen made a disciplined opening, limiting Freiburg's attacking channels and fashioning early chances through Marco Grull and Amos Pieper. The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when Niklas Beste curled a corner towards the far post and Suzuki, slipping his marker, headed home from close range.
Freiburg doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime. Matthias Ginter found Matanovic, who turned sharply before driving a well-placed effort into the left corner to make it 2-0 at the break.
Suzuki Completes the Treble
The hosts needed just three minutes after the restart to extend their advantage. Derry Scherhant reached the byline and squared for Suzuki to finish from five metres, making it 3-0. Suzuki then completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute after Bremen surrendered possession in their own build-up, with Matanovic teeing up the midfielder for Freiburg's fourth.
This is the kind of clinical, high-press performance that Freiburg have built their identity around in recent seasons — and Suzuki's movement and finishing suggested the side have lost little of that edge heading into the new campaign.
Bremen's Brief Resistance
Niclas Fullkrug was denied by goalkeeper Mio Backhaus as Bremen searched for a response. Substitute Dariusz Stalmach reduced the deficit in the 76th minute, heading in Grull's corner on his Bundesliga debut, but it was little more than a consolation. Maximilian Eggestein struck the post with a deflected long-range effort eight minutes from time as Freiburg, already comfortable, eased off the accelerator.
What Freiburg Coach Said
Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster was measured but pleased after the final whistle. 'We are satisfied with the result and the performance. Of course, there are always things we can improve. We aim to get better with every game,' Schuster said.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga
Augsburg marked Schalke's return to the Bundesliga with a 3-0 home victory. Former Schalke striker Michael Gregoritsch opened the scoring in the 18th minute. The match turned decisively when Ron Schallenberg was sent off in the 62nd minute for bringing down Gregoritsch, leaving Schalke to play the remainder with 10 men. Anton Kade doubled Augsburg's lead 17 minutes later, and substitute Rodrigo Ribeiro completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Freiburg next travel to Paderborn, while Bremen host RB Leipzig in what will be an early test of their recovery.
Point of View
But the more telling story is structural: Freiburg controlled the game's tempo before and after the break, pressing Bremen into errors that directly produced goals. For a club that perennially punches above its budget in the Bundesliga, this kind of disciplined, system-driven performance is the real signal. Bremen, meanwhile, face questions about their defensive shape — surrendering possession in build-up for a third and fourth goal in the same game is a pattern that will be exploited by better sides. Their home fixture against RB Leipzig arrives at a difficult moment.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Yuito Suzuki score against Werder Bremen?
Yuito Suzuki scored three goals — a hat-trick — in Freiburg's 4-1 Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen on 31 August 2026. His goals came in the 29th minute, shortly after halftime, and in the 55th minute.
What was the final score in Freiburg vs Werder Bremen?
Freiburg won 4-1 at home against Werder Bremen in their Bundesliga 2026/27 season opener on 31 August. Suzuki scored three and Matanovic added the other; Dariusz Stalmach scored a late consolation for Bremen.
Who else scored for Freiburg besides Suzuki?
Matanovic scored Freiburg's second goal just before halftime, turning sharply to drive the ball into the left corner after being found by Matthias Ginter.
What happened in the Augsburg vs Schalke Bundesliga match?
Augsburg beat Schalke 3-0 at home on the same matchday. Michael Gregoritsch opened the scoring, Schalke were reduced to 10 men after Ron Schallenberg's red card in the 62nd minute, and goals from Anton Kade and substitute Rodrigo Ribeiro completed the win.
What did Freiburg coach Julian Schuster say after the match?
Schuster said: 'We are satisfied with the result and the performance. Of course, there are always things we can improve. We aim to get better with every game.' Freiburg next travel to Paderborn.
