Daniel Thioune has explained Samuel Mbangula's departure as Werder Bremen started the new season with a heavy defeat. According to the coach, who spoke to Bild Sport, the Belgian attacking player fled the pressure of his 10 million euro transfer fee.
Why did Mbangula leave Werder Bremen?
Daniel Thioune told Bild Sport that Samuel Mbangula himself expressed a desire for a "change of scenery." The 22-year-old struggled to cope with the high expectations that came with his expensive move in the summer of 2025. "Sam made the decision for himself that he perhaps needs a change of air to not constantly be under this magnifying glass," Thioune said.
After a disappointing cup performance against fifth-tier side Lüneburg and public criticism from the coach, Mbangula only wanted to leave. The attacker was loaned to FC Bologna for one year, with the Italian club holding a purchase option of 12.5 million euros next summer. This would represent a financial gain for Werder.
How did the season opener in Freiburg go?
The Bundesliga match at SC Freiburg ended in a 4-1 defeat for Werder Bremen. According to the match report on bundesliga.com, a hat-trick from Japanese forward Yuito Suzuki decided the game. Suzuki scored in the 29th, 48th, and 55th minutes, with Igor Matanović adding another just before halftime.
The only goal for Bremen came from substitute Dariusz Stalmach in the 76th minute, assisted by Marco Grüll. Werder had to play the match with several personnel issues. Alongside the injured key player Jens Stage, Felix Agu, Justin Njinmah, and Senne Lynen were also absent, as shown on the current injuries list.
Where does Werder Bremen stand after the first matchday?
The defeat means Werder Bremen are in 15th place in the Bundesliga table with 0 points. Their record from one game is 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss. The goal difference is negative at 1:4, with a minus three goal difference.
This leaves the Green-Whites already three points behind leaders FC Bayern Munich. The next opportunity to earn points comes quickly. On Saturday, September 5, 2026, Werder will host RB Leipzig, currently in fourth place, at the Weserstadion. You can find the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What role did the personnel shortages play?
The injury to Jens Stage on the eve of the season was a significant blow to Daniel Thioune's tactical plans. New signings Ludovit Reis and Chuki came into the starting lineup as replacements. The absence of other regulars like the speedy Justin Njinmah further limited the offensive options.
The current league situation and upcoming tasks can be viewed on the standings page. The team must now recover quickly from this setback. The match against Leipzig offers the chance to immediately rectify the first defeat of the season and start a positive trend at home.
