Suzuki hat-trick as Freiburg punish Bremen, Augsburg beat Schalke

Yuito Suzuki hit a hat-trick to help Freiburg overrun Werder Bremen 4-1 at home on Sunday, beginning the Bundesliga campaign as they mean to go on in their quest for an elusive Champions League spot.

Japan's Suzuki headed in a Niklas Beste corner on the half hour and Croatia forward Igor Matanović blasted in from outside the area just before the interval.

It was quickly 3-0 after the break when playmaker Suzuki converted Derry Scherhant's cross. He also tapped in Matanović's pass soon afterwards and a later header from Dariusz Stalmach for Bremen meant little.

"I feel great, I'm very happy," Suzuki told DAZN.

Augsburg beat promoted Schalke 3-0 in the late game, where new Germany coach Jürgen Klopp was in attendance.

Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius threw the ball out to nobody and Augsburg charged forward, the impressive Anton Kade crossing for Michael Gregoritsch to easily score on 18 minutes. 

Moussa Sylla had an effort cleared off the line for well-supported Schalke, who were back in the top flight for the first time since 2023 and did not look out of place. But a red card for Ron Schallenberg just after the hour for a professional foul ended their hopes.

The uncapped Kade continued to catch Klopp's eye with a vibrant second on 79 minutes and Rodrigo Ribeiro celebrated coach Manuel Baum's birthday with a late third.

Bayern Munich kicked off the new Bundesliga season on Friday with a 5-1 home thrashing of VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund beat SV Hamburg 2-0 in Saturday's main programme of matches.

Limited Bremen squad

Bremen, who sold goalkeeper Mio Backhaus to Freiburg in the close season, were dealt another blow before kick-off with news that talisman Jens Stage was out for the rest of the year with a hamstring injury.

The 2004 champions are seen as relegation candidates by many pundits and Daniel Thioune's limited squad was exposed by the home side. 

Niclas Füllkrug started on his second Bundesliga debut for former team Bremen, but the on-loan West Ham forward was largely anonymous - wasting one good chance in the second half.

The striker tried to stay positive.

"I think it was clear that we have a team out there that has a certain quality, but not yet a connection," he said. "That's why I am not that negative yet."

Freiburg, who have been knocking on the door of the Champions League for years, have fourth spot as their clear aim this term alongside winning the Conference League. 

Julian Schuster's side have lost keeper Noah Atubolu to Eintracht Frankfurt and playmaker Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa, but last term's Europa League runners-up remain a dynamic side - especially at home.

The result against Bremen was never in doubt and the Black Forest outfit should have scored even more.

Suzuki will need to have a good season if Freiburg are going to cope without Switzerland star Manzambi. On this showing, the 24-year-old looks in fine fettle for his second Bundesliga campaign.

Backhaus again looked nervous though and his attempt to stop Stalmach's close-range header was weak. The new Freiburg keeper also made a major error in the Conference League play-off win over Motherwell in midweek.

Bremen host RB Leipzig on Saturday when Freiburg go to promoted Paderborn. Augsburg are at Frankfurt next weekend while Schalke welcome Bayern, who first meet VfL Osnabrück in the German Cup first round on Wednesday.