SV Werder Bremen picked up an important three points in their 2-0 victory over 1. FC Union Berlin at a sold-out wohninvest WESERSTADION, courtesy of an own goal from Robin Knoche (38’) and a picture-perfect finish from Marvin Ducksch (75’). A combination of pure passion and a cohesive team performance was the recipe for success for the Green-Whites, who came out on top in front of their home fans.
Line-up and formation: Ole Werner only made one change to his team from last week’s defeat in Dortmund, which saw Rafael Borré take over from Dawid Kownacki up top. The 5-3-2 formation also remained the same. Anthony Jung returned to centre-back, and Jens Stage delivered an impressive performance in defensive midfield. Felix Agu celebrated his comeback from a long injury spell with an appearance in the second half of the game.
Werder‘s starting XI: Zetterer – Deman, Jung, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Bittencourt, Veljkovic, Borré, Schmid and Friedl.
Bench: Dos Santos Haesler - Pieper, Kownacki, Lynen, Njinmah, Agu, Woltemade, Opitz and Röcker.
First-half highlights:
2nd minute: Union have the first shot on goal. Becker outruns Deman on the right and cuts it back to Aaronson. Fortunately for the hosts, Zetterer is able to catch his shot with ease.
5th minute: The visitors keep pushing for a goal through crosses and a corner, but each attempt is denied by the Green-Whites. So far, so good!
17th minute: SVW have the next chance, which again comes from Bittencourt. The right-footer plucks up the courage and takes aim from distance, but his shot flies wide of the left post by about a metre. Good effort!
28th minute: After a spell of possession from FCU, Ducksch responds by winning the ball in midfield and playing it forward quickly. However, no one is there to get on the end of Borré’s low cross.
38th minute: Werder take the lead! Ducksch’s free kick from the left-hand side flies high towards the goal, where a miscommunication between Rönnow and Knoche sees the ball deflect off Knoche’s head and into the back of his own net. A goal is a goal: WERDER ARE IN FRONT!
44th minute: Werder’s opener has breathed new life into the game. Union continue to try and push forwards, but the Green-Whites are wide awake and prepared for changes in possession.
51st minute: A second goal is very much on the cards. Ducksch controls a loose ball in midfield and plays in Schmid with his second touch. The Austrian dribbles into the box and takes on the FCU defence before getting a shot away. Unfortunately, it flies high over the crossbar.
61st minute: That looked painful. Rani Khedira attempts to bring down the ball with a high foot, but Schmid tries to do the same with his chest and the two collide. Referee Stieler has a clear view and doesn’t hesitate for a second before showing Khedira a straight red. Schmid is able to continue playing after receiving some treatment.
72nd minute: Behrens outpaces Veljkovic chasing a long ball. Luckily, Zetterer rushes out and hits it out of play, earning himself a deserved round of applause from the home crowd.
75th minute: SVW double their lead! An excellent chip reaches Marvin Ducksch, who brings the ball down magnificently. Rönnow comes of his line, but the Werder striker delicately lobs it over his head to give the Green-Whites their second!
86th minute: FCU have nothing to lose and so push forward, but a strong Werder defence is able to sniff out any danger from the visitors.
90th minute + 7: Werder are able to counterattack and play in Lynen in the area. He passes the ball through to Njinmah, who had made a run in behind, but the youngster’s shot from a tight angle is turned behind for a corner by Rönnow.
90th minute +8: Full-time! SV Werder Bremen defeat Union Berlin 2-0.
Summary: After a fairly even first-half, Werder were relatively lucky to take the lead but you can't say they didn't deserve it. The game was neck and neck in the second half before a red card for Khedira threw a spanner in the works for the visitors. After taking a little time to adjust their approach against the ten men, Werder grabbed their second goal of the game. The visitors struggled to create much going forward in the closing stages, not least because the Green-Whites threw everything at it and were ultimately rewarded with three much-needed points.
