Fritz apologises to fans after DFB-Pokal humiliation

Werder Bremen captain Clemens Fritz has apologised to fans after his side were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal by FC Saarbrucken on Sunday.

Extra-time goals from Tim Stegerer and Marcel Ziemer handed the third-tier outfit a shock 3-1 win, consigning Werder to their third consecutive first-round exit in the process.

The travelling supporters attempted to the storm the pitch at the Ludwigsparkstadion after the game, but Fritz insisted their anger was understandable.

“We can only apologise to the fans,” he told Bild. “You are traveling on a Sunday to support us, and we cannot pull off a win against a third-division club.

“It is clear that they are angry and disappointed. We have to put up with that.”

Fritz’s sentiments were echoed by manager Robin Dutt, who was overseeing his first competitive fixture as Werder Bremen boss in Saarbrucken.

“It’s my job to talk and face the fans,” Dutt said.

“The fans were really upset. It’s not the first defeat in the first round.”

Bremen were not the only Bundesliga team to fall at the first hurdle on Sunday, with three other teams exiting at the first-round stage.

Borussia Monchenglabach were beaten on penalties by Darmstadt following a goalless draw, Sandhausen overcame Nurnberg in a shoot-out after extra-time ended all square at 1-1, and Eintracht Braunschweig were beaten 2-1 at Arminia Bielefeld.

Elsewhere, Hamburg eased to a 4-0 win at Schott Jena, Stuttgart secured a 2-0 triumph over Dynamo Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt won by the same scoreline against Illertissen.