Heartbreak at home against BVB

Werder fall to a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund

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Justin Njinmah keeping the ball against Nico Schlotter.

Justin Njinmah got a goal back for the Green-Whites (Photo: WERDER:DE)

Match Report

Saturday, 09.03.2024 / 21:00

After delivering a strong second-half performance, SV Werder Bremen were unlucky to come away empty-handed from the matchday 25 clash against Borussia Dortmund at the wohninvest WESERSTADION. Donyell Malen put the visitors ahead with a skilful scissor kick in the 21st minute, which was followed by a second from youngster Jaden Sancho not long after (38’). Just before the break, Sabitzer was shown a straight red for a foul on Weiser (45’), giving Werder a numerical advantage in the second half. Although Justin Njinmah was able to fire one home for the Green-Whites (70’), luck wasn’t on Werder’s side on Saturday night, and they came away from the game empty-handed.

Line-up and formation: Ole Werner chose to make two changes from the squad against Hoffenheim for Saturday night’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund. After recovering from his hip injury, Niklas Stark wore the captain’s armband upon his return to Werder’s starting XI, and replaced Christian Groß in centre-back. Justin Njinmah also took over Nick Woltemade’s spot up front against the Champions League contenders. After recovering from a muscle strain, Isak Hansen-Aarøen was named in Werder’s squad, alongside Milos Veljkovic, who was also back from a spell on the sidelines.

Werder’s starting XI: Zetterer, Jung, Stark, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Lynen, Njinmah, Schmid, Malatini, Agu.

Bench: Pavlenka, Kownacki, Bittencourt, Veljkovic, Keïta, Alvero, Hansen-Aarøen, Woltemade, Groß.

BVB hit home twice, Sabitzer sent off

Marvin Ducksch's free kick was the Green-Whites' biggest chance before the break (Photo: W.DE).

First-half highlights:

8th minute: Werder nearly take the lead! Ducksch drives forward and is one-on-one with Kobel, but his effort flies directly into the hands of the Dortmund keeper.

21st minute: Malen opens the scoring for the visitors. Brandt pulls the trigger, but Zetterer is on hand to clear the danger. However, the ball falls to Malen, who pulls off an impressive scissor kick to send the ball through the legs of the Werder keeper and give Dortmund the lead.

29th minute: Njinmah pulls the trigger from inside the penalty area, but his effort goes just wide of the post.

30th minute: At the other end, Dortmund nearly double their lead. Brandt is found free in the SVW six-yard box, but Zetterer saves it brilliantly with his feet. That was a close one.

38th minute: After a quick counter-attack, Sancho beats Malatini and advances on Zetterer’s goal from the left. Sadly for Werder, the Englishman holds his nerve and makes it 2-0 to Dortmund.

44th minute: Ducksch is fouled around 18 yards from the BVB goal. He steps up to take the resulting free kick, and almost scores to reduce the deficit. His curling effort goes over the wall, but Kobel tips it around for a corner.

45th minute +1: Marcel Sabitzer catches Mitchell Weiser with a high challenge in the centre circle. Aytekin is right there and sends the Austrian for an early bath.

Njinmah gets one back for the Green-Whites

Mitchell Weiser was inches away from equalising for Werder (Photo: W.DE).

Second-half highlights:

53rd minute: Schmid jumps out the way of a low cross from the right, in order to allow the ball to reach Ducksch. Werder’s number 7 has a go first-time, but his shot flies inches wide of the net.

60th minute: Weiser flies down the tight, cuts inside, and pulls the trigger with his weaker foot, but Kobel steps up for the visitors to maintain their lead.

70th minute: GOAL for Werder! Schmid drives the ball down to the byline and cuts it back to an oncoming Njinmah, who nets it into the right corner on his first touch. Keep pushing, Green-Whites!

72nd minute: Excellent work by Zetterer! Adeyemi drives into the Werder penalty area, but the Green-White keeper makes himself big and denies Dortmund their third.

90th minute +5: Full-time. Werder are defeated 2-1 by Borussia Dortmund.

Summary: Although a point may have been on the cards, SV Werder Bremen fell to a narrow defeat against the Champions League contenders, who were clinical in front of goal and put in a shift at the back. The Green-Whites fought hard for an equaliser in the second half, but were in need of that extra bit of luck when it came to finishing their chances. Nevertheless, Ole Werner’s side showed courage and determination against the Bundesliga giants, particularly with the numerical advantage after the break.