The final game day of the season will feature a showdown with Schalke at Weser Stadium. The first North Derby against Hamburg will be played on the fifth game day, 9-11 September 2011 - also at home. Werder will take on the record champions Bayern Munich on the 15th game day, 2-4 December 2011 in Munich. The reigning German champions Borussia Dortmund will come to Weser Stadium on the ninth game day, 14-16 October 2011. The German Football League announced the schedule for the up-coming season Tuesday afternoon with the opening match having German champs Borussia Dortmund host Hamburg on Friday, 5 August 2011.
Manager Klaus commented about the release of the complete Bundesliga schedule ...
... about a home match to start the season:
"In the last five seasons we have only had one home match as an opener. Back then we lost against Frankfurt but this time we want to win and start well into the season. That is possible both against Kaiserslautern and Bayern."
... about Kaiserslautern as an opponent:
"Last season we lost both games against Kaiserslautern. The second game on the final game day at the Betzenberg was not really a gauge as the game didn't mean anything for either team anymore and we had a lot of injured players."
...about the final four match days of the schedule as Werder play Bayern, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg and Schalke:
"Well, we just have to be champions with four game days left (laughing). If we are at the top at that point - and we are aiming for that - then the other teams also have pressure. To reach our goals we have to play against all the other teams, so the end of the schedule is not really a disadvantage."
... about the home match on the final match day:
"The fans wanted to have a home match on the 34th game day. And this has happened as well. We are just as happy about that as having the opening match at Weser Stadium."