SV Werder Bremen suffered their first defeat of the season against FC Bayern München on Saturday afternoon. The record champions won 5-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 42,100 at the Weserstadion, with Michael Olise (23’, 60’), Jamal Musiala (32’), Harry Kane (57’) and Serge Gnabry (65’) all on the scoresheet.
Line-up and formation: Head coach Ole Werner knew there would be at least two changes to his starting line-up this weekend, with captain Marco Friedl serving the first of a two-match ban and Justin Njinmah sidelined with a ligament injury. Amos Pieper was able to make his comeback after five months out injured, with Marco Grüll making his first start in the Bundesliga alongside Marvin Ducksch in attack.
Werder’s starting line-up: Zetterer – Jung, Stark, Pieper, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Lynen, Grüll, Schmid und Agu.
Bench: Backhaus - Deman, Bittencourt, Burke, Köhn, Hansen-Aarøen, Malatini, Alvero und Topp.
First-half highlights:
8th minute:Coman is able to draw several players to the left side of the pitch, before passing the ball to Laimer. The Austrian finds himself with enough space to get off a shot from 18 metres out, but only rattles the crossbar.
23rd minute: Bayern take the lead through Olise. The Bavarians are able to intercept a pass from Weiser, as Kane plays through to the Frenchman, who then pokes home the opener.
32nd minute: Olise leaves several Werder players in his wake as he drives into the box. He then lays it off for Musiala, who only has to hold out his foot to tap in Bayern’s second of the afternoon.
40th minute: Kane finds himself with plenty of space in front of Zetterer, but sends his shot wide of the target after being shoved by Stark. However, the referee blows the whistle to signal a free kick to Werder, with the England captain having been caught offside.
Second-half highlights:
46th minute: Werner’s substitutions at the break ushered in a change to Werder’s formation, with Topp taking up a position as a number nine and Weiser pushing further forward. Agu switched to the right flank as Köhn took up a position on the left.
54th minute: Werder’s best chance of the game! A cross from Stage looks to be heading for Schmid at the far post, but Upamecano is able to intercept and clear it.
57th minute: Just as Werder were enjoying their strongest phase of play, Bayern are able to add to their tally. Kane and Olise combine for a one-two that ends with the England captain making it 3-0.
60th minute: It’s four. Olise, who has been involved in every goal so far, gets on the end of a pass from Davies and completes his brace.
65th minute: Gnabry is able to place a shot in at the right post. 5-0.
72nd minute: A cross from Guerreiro finds Kane, who looks to redirect it on target with his head. Zetterer is able to deny the striker with a strong save.
90th minute +4: Full time. Next up, SV Werder will travel to face TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday evening (29th September, 17:30 CEST).
Summary: After a first half in which Bayern enjoyed over 75% possession, the record champions managed to maintain their dominance after the break as well. Vincent Kompany’s side were extremely clinical on their way to putting the game to bed mid-way through the second period. The introductions of Topp and Köhn at the break ushered in a period of improved play from Werder, but the hosts weren’t able to prevent Bayern from building on their lead.
