The start of the second-tier football league brought the Bundesliga relegated to reality.

Both FC Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen did nothing with the hoped-for opening wins.

“That's the second division.

Unfortunately, we have to get used to that, ”said the new Werder coach Markus Anfang after the 1-1 draw in the north derby against Hannover 96.

Despite their committed performance, Schalke even suffered a 3-1 defeat in the top game against Hamburger SV.

The difference: The Revier-Elf was celebrated after the defeat with two late goals conceded by the fans, the Bremer were whistled.

"We're also lucky that Hannover didn't kill us in the end," said Werder captain Ömer Toprak after a disappointing performance by the hosts.

"Have a hard time behind us"

Schalke, who had started the game perfectly with Simon Terodde's opening goal (7th minute), had to admit defeat at the end of a team that, with their new coach Tim Walter, appeared more clever and structured.

But the upheaval with young players and a completely new offensive has at least begun at Schalke, even if there are still some changes in the squad.

"It is clear that we still have to do something," said coach Dimitrios Grammozis.

After Robert Glatzel's equalization (53rd), Moritz Heyer (86th) and Bakery Jatta (90th) ensured the HSV's not undeserved victory.

Schalke's sports director Peter Knäbel confirmed on Sunday at Sport1: "We still have a lot to do, but we won't change our ambitions."

Bremen, on the other hand, has yet to initiate the upheaval.

The team's frustration with relegation has not yet been shaken off.

What the squad will look like after August 31 is still completely unclear.

The people of Bremen, plagued by financial worries, need income from transfers, but also have to present a functioning team in order to immediately get promoted back to the Bundesliga.

An own goal by Simon Falette (49th) played Werder in the cards, but the well-adjusted Lower Saxony came through a remarkable goal from Marvin Ducksch (55th) to the deserved compensation.

“We have had a difficult time.

Not everything can work right away, ”said Bremen's new coach at the beginning.

Victories for St. Pauli and Düsseldorf

The two former Bundesliga clubs FC St. Pauli and Fortuna Düsseldorf started the season on Sunday with clear victories.

The Kiez-Kicker won 3-0 against Holstein Kiel thanks to the hits from Leart Paqarada (11th), Daniel Kofi-Kyereh (62nd) and Guido Burgstaller (90th + 1).

The Düsseldorf team prevailed with two goals from center forward Rouwen Hennings (56th / 62nd / foul penalty) 2-0 at SV Sandhausen.

1. FC Nürnberg and FC Erzgebirge Aue parted 0-0.

The newcomers presented themselves differently in the new league.

Dynamo Dresden achieved a 3-0 win under successful coach Alexander Schmidt against fellow promoted FC Ingolstadt, to which striker Christoph Daferner contributed two hits and prepared one.

Hansa Rostock also suffered a 3-1 defeat against Karlsruher SC after nine years of abstinence from the second division. “We have paid the hardship. I hope there won't be that much more, ”said coach Jens Härtel.