SV Werder Bremen have secured their place in the Bundesliga on matchday 33. In front of 42,100 spectators in the sold-out wohninvest WESERSTADION, the Green-Whites fought their way to a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Köln. After the visitors took the lead through a header from Steffen Tigges (36’), substitute Romano Schmid scored the equaliser from a tight angle (73’). The draw was enough for Werder to confirm their place in the top flight for next season.
Team news: Head coach Ole Werner made one change from the defeat in Leipzig, with Niclas Füllkrug coming back into the starting line-up after recovering from his calf injury. He replaces Romano Schmid, and Werder opt for a back three as usual.
Starting XI: Jung, Stark, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Bittencourt, Füllkrug, Veljkovic, Gruev, Friedl.
The bench: Zetterer - Philipp, Schmid, Dinkci, Schmidt, Buchanan, Mbom, Groß, Chiarodia.
Highlights from the first half:
8th minute: Werder have the first real chance. Jung plays to Ducksch, who immediately pulls the trigger on the edge of the penalty area, but Köln goalkeeper Schwäbe is down quickly and parries the ball away for a corner.
13th minute: Baumgart’s side now have their first shot on goal. Kainz has a go from 15 yards from a central position, but Pavlenka is able to save the shot. Hector’s follow-up shot is deflected for a corner, which doesn’t pose any real danger.
36th minute: FC Köln take the lead in a period when much of the flow of the game has been lost after lots of interruptions. Kainz has too much space and is allowed to cross into the box, where Tigges beats Veljkovic in the air and heads into the far corner.
40th minute: Ducksch heads the ball into the path of Füllkrug. He decides against playing straight to Bittencourt and tries to chip over the defender, which doesn’t lead to anything.
Highlights from the second half:
50th minute: Köln aren’t able to completely clear the ball and the deflection from a cross comes to Schmidt. The substitute shoots dangerously, but captain Hector is able to block well.
65th minute: On the left wing, substitute Limnios breaks through after being played in by Selke. Pavlenka, however, spread himself excellently to prevent the cross into the centre.
70th minute: So nearly the equaliser! After a clever pass from Schmidt, Füllkrug plays to Stage, who has plenty of time to beat Schwäbe. The Dane tries to find the near corner, but the Köln goalkeeper makes a strong reflex save.
73rd minute: Werder are now in control of the game. Buchanan passes to Füllkrug, who moves into a dangerous position with a nutmeg, but the Bundesliga top scorer also fails to be Schwäbe.
73rd minute: Werder have the equaliser! After a throw-in, Buchanan crosses to Ducksch, who can’t connect cleanly with a header. At the back post, however, Romano Schmid has run through and slides the ball in from a tight angle.
84th minute: Köln come forward again from nowhere. Chabot heads the ball on to Selke off a corner, who fires over the crossbar in the six-yard box.
90th+4 minute: Full time. SV Werder draw 1-1 with 1. FC Köln and have confirmed their place in the Bundesliga next season.
Summary: After a fast-paced start, the game lost its flow due to a number of interruptions. Köln took the lead deservedly because they had more control of the game and the better chances. For Werder, Stage’s great chance opened up the game, in which the Green-Whites were able to score an equaliser. Afterwards, Köln tried to push forward again, but in the end both team’s efforts resulted in a fair draw.
