Werder put on a show in Verden | OneFootball

In their opening friendly fixture of the 2025/26 pre-season, Werder left a very positive impression (Photo: WERDER.DE).

Match report following friendly away to FC Verden 04

SV Werder Bremen won their opening friendly of pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campaign in front of 5,500 spectators. The Green-Whites ran out 6-0 victors away to German fifth-tier side FC Verden 04 at the Stadion am Berliner Ring.

Pieper’s header gets the ball rolling

Opitz first hit the post but was not to be denied on the rebound (Photo: WERDER.DE).

First half highlights:

6th minute: Pieper climbs highest to meet a Deman corner at the near post. The centre-back heads home to put Werder into the lead.

26th minute: Hansen-Aarøen surges into space on the left-hand side of the box and attempts to dink the ball over Freund. However, his effort ricochetes off the outside of the post.

36th minute: Werder double their advantage! Opitz could initially only find the upright but lashed the ball into the bottom corner at the second time of asking.

44th minute: A third goal is scored just before the break as Topp brings down a high ball inside the opposing area and lays off for Hansen-Aarøen. The Norwegian youth international runs onto the ball and places into the corner with his instep.

Full sail changes at the break before Covic bags a brace

Covic netted impressively from range (Photo: WERDER.DE).

Second half highlights:

47th minute: Werder strike the post for the third time during the afternoon. Covic crosses from the right flank for Njinmah, who hits the woodwork with a scissor kick attempt.

49th minute: The ball finds the net this time around as Covic is afforded too much space on the edge of the box and he fires low into the far bottom corner.

55th minute:  SVW link up to good effect once again in the opposing area, with the hosts unable to put a foot in. Ultimately, it was Salifou who laid off for Njinmah and he added his name to the score sheet with a low sweep into the left-hand corner.

57th minute: Horst Steffen’s side are playing some really nice football and goal number six arrives as Covic prods home on the rebound following a Lynen shot that was too hot for keeper Maximilian Hüster to handle.

90th minute +1: Full time. SV Werder run out resounding victors in their first friendly match of the 2025/26 season, winning 6-0.

Summary: SV Werder delivered a focused and energetic performance throughout the duration of proceedings. The Green-Whites operated with a back four in their inaugural fixture under new head coach Horst Steffen, which is a system that will be reviewed further in the coming weeks. The team’s next friendly contest is set to be played at 15:30 CEST away to fourth-division side Kickers Emden on Saturday, 19.07.25.

Statistics

FC Verden 04: Freund (46’ Hüster (68’ Rodel)) - Jäger (5’ Lindhorst), Niestädt (46’ Deblitz), Guth (46’ Sarrasch) - Diop (46’ Meyer (68’ Sarrasch), Röpe (46’Celik), Sakinc (46’ Hilßner), Muszong (46’ Reiners), Eggert (46’ Freiberg (68’ Brandes)) - Nathanael Amo-Mensah (46’ Hoins)

SV Werder: Backhaus (46’ Kolke) - Malatini (46’ Schmetgens), Pieper (46’ Stark), Adeh (46’ Alvero), Deman (46’ Wöber) - Bittencourt (46’ Lynen), Stage (16’ Coulibaly (63’ Kownacki)) - Weiser (46’ Salifou), Hansen-Aarøen (46’ Covic), Opitz (46’ Njinmah) - Topp (46’ Musah)

Goals: 0-1 Pieper (5’), 0-2 Opitz (36’), 0-3 Hansen-Aarøen (44’), 0-4 Covic (49’), 0-5 Njinmah (55’), 0-6 Covic (57’)

Referee: Tom Holsten

Attendance: 5,500