Werder fall to first away defeat of the season

Match report following defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach

Mitchell Weiser reacts after being shown a second yellow by the referee.
Mitchell Weiser was sent off after being shown a second yellow late on (Photo: WERDER.DE).
Match Report
Sunday, 03.11.2024 / 19:22

SV Werder Bremen suffered their first defeat on their travels of the season on Bundesliga matchday 9, falling 4-1 to Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals scored twice in quick succession in the first half (11', 12') before a goal on the break by Franck Honorat saw them take a 3-0 lead into the half-time break. Kevin Stöger then added a fourth in the second half (67'), with Keke Topp's first Bundesliga goal for the Green-Whites (76') not enough to ignite a comeback. A second yellow for Mitchell Weiser (82') dealt Werder with another setback, as they had to settle for a defeat.

Line up and formation: Head coach Ole Werner made three changes compared to Wednesday's winning team against SC Paderborn 07 (1-0 in the DFB-Pokal). Justin Njinmah returned to the starting line-up for the first time following his injury, while Felix Agu and Amos Pieper also came into the side.

Starting line-up: Zetterer - Pieper, Ducksch, Weiser, Bittencourt, Njinmah, Lynen, Schmid, Malatini, Agu und Friedl.

Bench: Backhaus - Deman, Jung, Stark, Stage, Veljkovic, Burke, Köhn und Topp.

Early setback for Werder

First-half highlights:

1st minute: The first shot of the game falls to the Green-Whites! Ducksch lays it off for Bittencourt, but his shot from 18 metres out goes just wide of the target.

11th minute: Gladbach take the lead. Kleindienst intercepts a cross-field pass from Lynen and plays it into the path of Plea. The Frenchman doesn't connect fully with the ball, but is helped as it takes a deflection off Bittencourt's thigh and rolls into the back of the net.

12th minute: A second for the hosts. Hack's shot is far off target and flies towards the touchline instead, where it's gathered up by Honorat. The Frenchman delivers a cross into the box that's redirected by Kleindienst and takes a final touch off of Friedl before rolling over the line.

29th minute: Another close call for the Green-Whites. Kleindienst is able to get off a header following a corner, but Agu is able to clear his attempt on the line.

45th minute: 3-0. Werder are positioned high up the pitch inside the Gladbach box, before a loss of possession triggers a counter-attack. Kleindienst springs Honorat, who puts on a burst of speed to finish off the counter by slotting the ball past Zetterer.

45th minute +3: Half time in Mönchengladbach. The Foals take a comfortable lead with them into the break, after a poor first-half performance from the Green-Whites. Ole Werner's side will need to dig deep in order to avoid heading home empty-handed.

Werder up the pressure, as Gladbach extend their lead

Second-half highlights:

47th minute: Werder look to counter quickly via Schmid, who sends Köhn down the left. The half-time substitute is able to get off a shot, but it's saved by Nicolas.

59th minute: Another good chance for SVW! Ducksch delivers a well-struck free kick into the box, as Friedl looks to push it over the line. Once again, Nicolas is there to prevent the ball from going in.

66th minute: Gladbach make it 4-0. Kleindienst delivers a ball into the box where Stöger is waiting to turn it in at the near post.

76th minute: A deserved goal back for SVW! Ducksch picks out substitute Topp with a cross, who is able to turn the ball in unmarked from close range to score his first Bundesliga goal for the Green-Whites.

82nd minute: Weiser fouls Reitz while trying to take the ball off the midfielder. The referee reaches into his pocket and pulls out a yellow card, Weiser's second of the night, meaning Werder will have to finish the match with just ten men.

90th minute +1: Ducksch's free kick finds a recipient in Topp, who forces Nicolas into a brilliant save to deny his header.

90th minute +4: Full time. SV Werder fall to their first defeat of the season despite an improved performance in the second half.

Summary: Werder struggled to gain a foothold during the opening half, as Gladbach quickly opened up a 2-0 lead. Honorat's goal to make it 3-0 then allowed them to head into the break with a comfortable advantage. Despite an improved performance after the break, Werder were unable to make their chances count, with Keke Topp's first Bundesliga goal for the side not enough to get back in it. A late red card for Mitchell Weiser then sealed the defeat.

 

Match stats:

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Nicolas - Scally, Friedrich, Itakura, Ullrich (77' Chiarodia) - Reitz, Weigl - Honorat (77' Ngoumou), Plea (63' Stöger), Hack (71' Neuhaus) - Kleindienst (71' Cvancara)

SV Werder: Zetterer - Malatini (46' Veljkovic), Friedl, Pieper (46' Jung) - Weiser, Lynen, Agu (46' Köhn) - Schmid, Bittencourt (81' Burke) - Njinmah (67' Topp), Ducksch 

Goals: 1-0 Plea (11'), 2-0 Friedl (12' OG), 3-0 Honorat (45'), 4-0 Stöger (66'), 4-1 Topp (76')

Second yellow: Weiser (82')

Referee: Bastian Dankert

Attendance: 54,042 (sold out)

 
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