Too little, too late for Werder

Match report from the 2-1 loss to Hoffenheim

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Weiser and Co. came away from the clash empty-handed (Photo: nordphoto).

Match Report

Sunday, 03.03.2024 / 19:31

SV Werder Bremen were unable to build on their three-game unbeaten streak on the road after suffering a 2-1 defeat to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena on Sunday evening. The hosts took an early lead and were in control of the first half thanks to a brace by Maximilian Beier (8’, 44’), which made it challenging for the Green-Whites to come back after the break. After a strong display in the closing stages, Skelly Alvero was able to hit home his first goal for the Green-Whites, but it wasn’t enough to bring home any points from Sinsheim.

Line-up and formation: Ole Werner opted to face Hoffenheim with the same XI from last weekend’s draw against Darmstadt. Nick Woltemade made his return to the starting line-up to replace Justin Njinmah, who trained individually throughout the week. Rafael Borré was not in the squad to face Hoffenheim, as the forward is set to complete a move to Brazilian side Internacional. Naby Keïta also made his return to Werder’s matchday squad, and started the game on the bench.

Werder’s starting XI: Zetterer – Jung, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Lynen, Schmid, Malatini, Agu, Woltemade, Groß (c).

Bench: Pavlenka – Deman, Kownacki, Bittencourt, Njinmah, Keïta, Alvero, Opitz, Röcker.

Beier’s brace gives hosts the upper hand

The Green-Whites battled hard to get one back in the first half (Photo: WERDER.DE).

First-half highlights:

8th minute: Maximilian Beier opens the scoring for the hosts. A corner flies in and reaches the forward on the back post, who hits the target first-time.

20th minute: A corner comes in from the left over Bebous’ head, and reaches the far post. Stach has a go from 19 metres out, but Zetti gets low and catches it with ease.

22nd minute: Werder have their first real chance of the game! The ball falls to Agu, who pulls the trigger first-time from close range, but his effort flies inches over the bar.

26th minute: Schmid delivers a cross into Ducksch, who nods it in the direction of the Hoffenheim net. Baumann is there to block the shot, but he fires it at Woltemade, who is waiting to pounce on a deflection, but the Green-White isn’t expecting it and the ball comes off his leg for a goal kick.

40th minute: Schmid puts it on a plate for Ducksch on the edge of the box, who pulls the trigger on his first touch, but he’s denied by the woodwork. Pavel Kaderábek is on hand to clear the danger for the hosts.

44th minute: Hoffenheim double their lead, and it’s Beier again. Bebou drives forward with the ball and squares it to Hoffenheim’s number 14, who slots it away from the back post.

A goal for Alvero in injury time

Alvero hit home his first goal in green and white against Hoffenheim (Photo: WERDER.DE).

Second-half highlights:

52nd minute: The Green-Whites combine well in the middle. Stage drives down the right-wing and delivers a low cross into the path of Ducksch, who spots Agu in space behind him and lets it run through his legs. However, Werder’s number 27 can’t keep it down and hits the ball over the bar.

57th minute: Hoffenheim find Bebou on the right, who squares it to Beier in the middle. He gets a shot off, but Zetterer does well to clear the danger.

70th minute: Malatini brings Beier down in the box, and referee Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck decides to check it with VAR. He decides against a penalty for Hoffenheim, much to Werder’s relief.

73rd minute: Already on a yellow card, Marius Bülter tackles Schmid from behind and is handed a red for the offence. Hoffenheim go down to ten men.

87th minute: Justin Njinmah attempts to pull one back for Werder. He drives down the left and pulls the trigger, but the angle is too tight and he hits the side netting.

90th minute +2: GOAL FOR WERDER! Weiser cuts it back from the goal line to Skelly Alvero, who is able to hit home his first goal for the Green-Whites.

90th minute +7: The ball finds Bittencourt in the penalty area, who lets fly, but his effort goes narrowly wide of the right post.

Summary: Hoffenheim had control of the game for the most part and made it tough for the Green-Whites to create any clear-cut chances, particularly after the break. Despite Werder’s best efforts to push forward, TSG stayed compact at the back and stood their ground. The visitors were unable to make the most of any chances they had in the first half, and while things looked promising after Alvero pulled one back, it was too late for the Green-Whites to come away with any points.