Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Werder Bremen II beat Jong Utrecht 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch, with the German U23 side taking a first-half lead and holding off a second-half fightback.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Werder Bremen II, playing their second pre-season fixture under new head coach Cedric Makiadi, took control early. The German side led 1-0 at half-time, having dictated much of the opening 45 minutes with 57% possession across the match.
Jong Utrecht improved after the break and found an equaliser, pulling level at 1-1 midway through the second half. But Werder Bremen II responded swiftly, restoring their lead to make it 2-1 — a lead they protected until full time despite Jong Utrecht pushing for a second equaliser.
The hosts registered four shots on target from eight attempts overall and earned seven corners, but Werder Bremen II's defensive structure held firm during the closing stages.
The turning point
Jong Utrecht's equaliser raised expectations of a home comeback, but Werder Bremen II's immediate response — restoring their lead within minutes — proved decisive. The quick double-blow meant Jong Utrecht spent the remainder of the match chasing the game, and despite 89 total attacks (47 dangerous) to Werder Bremen II's 77 (50 dangerous), they could not find a second equaliser.
Key performers
No official player data was published for this friendly, but Werder Bremen II's goalscorers made the difference. The visitors' ability to strike back immediately after conceding demonstrated the sharpness Makiadi has instilled since taking over the U23 side on 22 June.
For Jong Utrecht, the second-half improvement suggested fitness progression in their own pre-season build-up, though the equaliser ultimately proved a consolation rather than a platform.
By the numbers — interpreted
Werder Bremen II edged the possession battle 57%-43% and managed two more shots on target (6-4) despite having fewer total shots than their hosts. Jong Utrecht committed 11 fouls to Werder Bremen II's seven, reflecting a more aggressive approach as they chased the game. The corner count (7-5 to Jong Utrecht) and dangerous attacks (50-47 to Werder Bremen II) were tightly balanced, reinforcing that the match was closer than the scoreline suggests. The hosts had more total attacks (89-77) but could not translate territorial pressure into clear-cut chances.
What it means
Werder Bremen II extended their perfect pre-season start after beating FC Worpswede on 27 June. They face SC Heerenveen U21 on 11 July before the Regionalliga Nord season begins on the weekend of 31 July–2 August. Makiadi's side will aim to build momentum under their new coaching staff.
Jong Utrecht, the reserve side of FC Utrecht, used the fixture as part of their own pre-season preparations for the Keuken Kampioen Divisie campaign. No further pre-season fixtures have been publicly confirmed at the time of writing.
Verdict
A competitive but low-key pre-season friendly settled by Werder Bremen II's clinical finishing. The German U23 side's ability to strike back immediately after conceding showed promising signs under Makiadi, while Jong Utrecht will take encouragement from their second-half display despite the loss.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 4 Jul 2026