Werder Bremen vs Fagiano Okayama

The opening phase belonged to the visitors. Fagiano Okayama, already deep into their own pre-season preparations ahead of a switch to the European calendar, forced Werder goalkeeper Karl Hein into a double save inside the opening 12 minutes — the Estonian denied first from close range and then the rebound.

Werder grew into the contest gradually. Jens Stage rattled the crossbar with a header on 23 minutes, and three minutes later the deadlock was broken. Chuki, the 22-year-old Spanish midfielder signed on a free transfer from Real Valladolid, collected the ball 25 yards from goal, drove forward and rifled a low, precise shot into the corner for his first goal in Werder colours.

Half-time: Werder Bremen 1-0 Fagiano Okayama

Head coach Daniel Thioune made ten changes at the interval, keeping only right-back Luca Höcker on the pitch before substituting him for Marco Grüll in the 71st minute. The wholesale rotation disrupted the rhythm of the game, and chances were scarce in the second period.

Fagiano Okayama wasted a handful of presentable openings, and were made to pay in the 80th minute. Samuel Mbangula swung in an inviting free-kick from the left flank, and Mats Heitmann rose highest to power a header into the net — a set-piece routine the squad had rehearsed in that morning's training session.

Hein's double save in the 10th and 12th minutes. Had Fagiano Okayama taken the lead during their strongest spell of the match, Werder's disjointed first-half performance may have been punished. Instead, the goalkeeper's intervention kept the score level, and Chuki's moment of quality swung momentum decisively in Bremen's favour.

• Chuki — The Spaniard's goal was the standout moment of a quiet match. His drive and finish from distance demonstrated the creativity Werder's midfield lacked at times last season. Sporting director Clemens Fritz said: "If we get near the penalty area, we have to look for the finish with conviction. He did that very convincingly today."
• Karl Hein — The Estonian's early double save kept Werder in the game during a spell of Japanese pressure. Quieter thereafter, but his contribution was match-defining.
• Mats Heitmann — The young midfielder showed composure to head home the second goal from Mbangula's set-piece delivery, rewarding the morning's standard-work on the training ground.
• Samuel Mbangula — The winger was a constant threat from wide areas in the second half and provided the assist for the clinching goal.

The provider data shows a 2-0 scoreline with both goals coming from open play and a set-piece respectively. The expected goals figures (not publicly available for this friendly) would likely reflect a low-event contest: Werder's two clear chances (Stage's header, Chuki's goal) and Fagiano Okayama's early flurry account for the bulk of the shot quality. The half-time wholesale substitution — ten of 11 outfielders replaced — meant the second period was inherently disjointed, which explains the 50-minute gap between goals.

Werder Bremen have now won both of their pre-season friendlies, following a 6-2 victory over FC Verden 04 on 18 July. The squad continues its training camp in Zell am Ziller through to the end of the week, with a sterner test against Bundesliga rivals VfL Bochum scheduled for Saturday 25 July (60 minutes x 2 format). Werder's competitive season begins with a DFB-Pokal first-round tie against Lüneburger SK Hansa in Hamburg on the weekend of 8-10 August.

Fagiano Okayama, who finished 13th in the J1 League last season, are preparing for their first campaign under the new European calendar (August-to-May). Their league season opens on 8 August away to Cerezo Osaka.

A functional, low-intensity friendly that told Thioune more about his squad's depth than its starting XI. Chuki's debut goal was the clear takeaway — the Spaniard has the technique to unlock defences, but the head coach is right to counsel patience. The defensive structure, especially with a rotated back four, looked solid; the attacking fluency will take longer to develop.

Werder Bremen first half (4-2-3-1): Hein — Höcker, Pieper, Wojcik, Deman — Stage, Covic — Grüll, Chuki, Erevbenagie — Quetant.

Werder Bremen second half (4-2-3-1): Kolke — Höcker (71' Grüll), Stark, Schmetgens, Hamouda — Heitmann, Soylu, Kownacki — Njinmah, Musah, Mbangula.

Absent: Weiser, Agu, Malatini, Stalmach (all injury recovery); Lynen, Alvero (being eased back); Coulibaly (ill); Schmid, Friedl, Schlager (extended post-WM break).

Next up: Werder Bremen vs VfL Bochum — Saturday 25 July, Parkstadion Zell am Ziller (17:30 CEST).