Werder take home a point from Augsburg

2-2 draw in Augsburg to open the 2024/25 Bundesliga season

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SVW earned their first point of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season in Augsburg (Photo: W.DE).

Match Report

Saturday, 24.08.2024 / 17:48

SV Werder Bremen were able to take home a point from their first Bundesliga game of the season against FC Augsburg on Saturday afternoon. Felix Agu (12’) opened the scoring for the Green-Whites, but they were then pegged back just minutes later by Elvis Rexhbecaj’s equaliser (16’). The hosts were then able to take the lead before the break, as Samuel Essende headed in to make it 2-1 (35’). Substitute Justin Njinmah then netted a deserved equaliser for the Green-Whites in the 58th minute, ensuring both sides earned a point on matchday 1.

Line-up and formation: Head coach Ole Werner named an unchanged line-up following the 3-1 win in Cottbus in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, sticking with a 5-3-2 formation.

Werder’s starting line-up: Zetterer - Stark, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Veljkovic, Lynen, Schmid, Agu, Friedl, Topp

Bench: Backhaus - Deman, Jung, Bittencourt, Njinmah, Grüll, Hansen-Aarøen, Malatini, Alvero

Agu’s opener cancelled out

Felix Agu celebrates after opening the scoring in Augsburg.

Felix Agu scored Werder's first Bundesliga goal of 2024/25 (Photo: W.DE).

First-half highlights:

9th minute: Augsburg go close early on, as a free-kick finds Engels inside the box. The midfielder is able to get off a shot from close range, but is denied by a superb block from Zetterer. Our number one stretches out his arms and legs to deny the hosts the opener.

12th minute: We lead! Weiser’s cross looks to be sailing through the box with no one there to meet it, before Felix Agu collects it at the far post. His shot sneaks its way under goalkeeper Labrovic and hits the back of the net.

16th minute: FC Augsburg draw level. Elvis Rexhbecaj takes aim from range and places a stunning shot into the top right corner. There was nothing Zetterer could have done to keep that one out.

25th minute: Werder are switching the ball well, and it eventually finds its way to Jens Stage. He’s able to get off a volleyed shot, forcing FCA goalkeeper Labrovic into a diving safe to push the ball out for a corner.

34th minute: Topp is able to combine well with Weiser, who then tests Labrovic. But, his shot lacks enough power to pose a threat.

35th minute: Augsburg take the lead. A well-placed cross from Breithaupt finds Essende at the far post, with the striker powering a header into the back of the net.

Njinmah nets equaliser

Justin Njinmah sending a header towards the Augsburg goal.

Justin Njinmah headed in an equaliser to make it 2-2 (Photo: W.DE).

Second-half highlights:

51st minute: Schmid delivers a cross into the middle of the park, as it falls at Marvin Ducksch’s feet. The striker is just a second too late to get on the end of it.

53rd minute: This time, it’s Agu that plays in a cross from the left side of the park. Ducksch is there to meet it with his head, but sends the ball just over the bar.

58th minute: There’s the equaliser! Agu does well to switch the ball to Weiser, who has time to deliver an inch-perfect cross to the back post. Substitute Justin Njinmah times his run perfectly to nod home Werder’s second of the afternoon.

70th minute: Essende has the ball in the back of the net again, but the goal is under review.Upon consulting with VAR,the goal is disallowed as the striker was judged to have touched the ball with his hand prior to scoring.

72nd minute: Werder counter quickly after winning possession following an FCA corner. Njinmah sends Ducksch through on goal, as the striker looks to nutmeg Labrovic, but the goalkeeper is able to make the save.

77th minute: The referee consults VAR after a potential handball in the box from Jung. Upon review, his original call to not award Augsburg a penalty stands.

90th minute +5: Full time. FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen share the spoils after a 2-2 draw to open the season.

Summary: After opening the scoring, Werder found themselves pegged back just minutes later by the hosts, who were able to then take the lead before the break. The Green-Whites started strong after the change of ends and saw their efforts rewarded with Njinmah’s equaliser. With temperatures in Augsburg hitting 30°C, neither side were willing to take any unnecessary risks in the closing minutes. Overall, Werder take home a deserved point from their season opener.