Sebastian Langkamp couldn’t have asked for a better starting debut in SV Werder Bremen colours. After a hard-fought 90 minutes, the 30-year-old and his teammates jubilantly celebrated the 3-1 away win against FC Augsburg. It was a faultless defensive performance from the central defender, demonstrating exactly why the club signed him in January.
"Basti" joined the Green-White shortly before the winter transfer window closed, arriving from Hertha BSC where he made over 150 top-flight appearances. Langkamp, who came through FC Bayern’s academy, impressed Florian Kohfeldt from day one – the Werder head coach frequently emphasising how much the defender improves the squad.
Werder’s defensive stability has been a hallmark of this season, hence why Langkamp has had to wait so long for his first start for the club. It certainly hasn’t been easy for the newcomer who, despite his lack of game time, has been in constant exchange with his head coach as he patiently waited for his chance to come. And few can argue he didn’t take it when it arrived on Saturday. "Sebastian is an intelligent player, he has slotted in seamlessly. There were absolutely no coordination issues," praised Kohfeldt. Werder’s sporting director added: "from the first minute, Sebastian dominated and delivered a fantastic performance."
One moment, right at the start of the match, underlined all the experience that Langkamp has brought the club. As he received the ball from the kick-off, when faced with quick press from an Augsburg attacker, a calm cutback dragged the ball away from the opponent and any immediate danger. Even midfielder Zlatko Junuzovic was impressed by the move: "The way he did that was great. He took all the danger away," told the Werder captain.
Langkamp was calm and collected as he exited the pitch in Augbsurg at full time. Despite completing 88% of his passes and winning 75% of his duels, Langkamp remained modest at full time, instead praising his defensive partner Niklas Moisander. "He made things very, very easy for me. It was really nice to play with him."
Of course, the defender allowed himself a moment to enjoy what was a very positive full debut for Werder: “Firstly, I think that we deserved the win today," said Langkamp, once more putting the team first. "I’m very happy to have played today. I finally feel like I have arrived here.
And on behalf of everyone at Werder, it’s good to have you here, Basti!
