Werder Bremen have moved up to 12th in the Bundesliga with a home win against Hamburger SV, who remain in the bottom three.
Hamburg started the first half brightly, with Dennis Diekmeier looking lively. He crossed in the third minute for Pierre-Michel Lasogga, but the striker's header from some way out only managed to go wide of the target.
It became a little edgy in the middle with both sides struggling and not wanting to make mistakes. It was the home team who broke the deadlock just 20 minutes in as Zlatko Junuzovic finished low under Rene Adler.
Santiago Garcia then almost put his side 2-0 to the good in spectacular fashion, but his strike from the corner of the box was tipped over the bar for a corner by Adler.
Hamburg were struggling to create any real chances and Diekmeier did well to come close with a header on 50 minutes, but saw his attempt drift wide from around the penalty spot.
The visitors remained unable to carve the big chance that they needed for a goal and Mirko Slomka's second game in charge ended with disappointment after the initial hope of last week.
Matt Domm
