German champions Werder Bremen aer back. After a run of four games without a win the Green-Whites finally broke their duck with a 2:0 win over Borussia Dortmund on the 15th match day of the season. Johan Micoud put the home side in front in the 32nd minute and his fellow countryman doubled that lead with a header in the 57th. Werder were the better team on the day and left the field of play as deserved winners.

Thomas Schaaf made only one change to the side which drew 1:1 with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday with Dane Daniel Jensen replacing Ludovic Magnin on the right side of midfield with Tim Borowski on the left.

Over 40,000 fans in a packed stadium saw how the guest from Dortmund had their first chance within three minutes. Senesie set Florian Kringe through in the Bremen box but the ex-Cologne player couldn't control his shot crashing it high and wide. Werder, who should have been shaken into action by this, reacted slowly. Atypically, Werder found difficulties in their much feared combination play and reacted with mainly high balls forward. BVB appeared satisfied with the situation and concentrated on reducing the pace of the game and getting men behind the ball.

Klasnic out with injury

Werder came to the first real openning after 19 minutes with Ismael driving a free kick from the left directly into the arms of keeper Roman Weidenfeller. Shortly afterwards coach Thomas Schaaf was forced to make a substitution. Ivan Klasnic was sent crashing to the ground in a challenge, landing heavily on his right shoulder - the Croatian striker was unable to continue, giving Angelos Charisteas the chance to make his mark (23').

The game took a half an hour to rise to the prior expectations with the home side taking the initiative and upping the tempo which led to the North Germans creating more convincing chances. Firstly, Miroslav Klose tested Weidenfeller with a drive from a tight angle (30'), then it was the substitutes chance to make the difference but the Greek international couldn't direct Tim Borowskis cross onto the Dortmund goal (31'). But a minute later the effort paid off. Captain Frank Baumann flicked on a long ball by Paul Stalteri. Klose struck on the volley and Weidenfeller performed heroics to parry the drive but it was Johan Micoud who reacted quickest to reach the free ball and push it over the line to put Werder 1:0 ahead.

A goal was just what the doctor ordered for Werder who grew in confidence on the back of their lead and pressurised yet further before the break. In the 40th minute, Petri Pasanen came within inches of his second Bundesliga goal but the Finns header (from a Micoud corner) zipped over the crossbar. BVB had themselves one more chance before the break with Dede feeding Rosicky, but the Czech stars shot rolled wide of the left upright (43').

Ismael seals the deal

Straight from the re-start a mistake by Paul Stalteri almost handed the visitors an equaliser. The Canadian lost the ball on the half way line to Senesie who broke away alone with only Andi Reinke to beat. The striker rushed his shot and the Werder keeper was happy to smother at the second attempt. During the following period Werder controled proceedings encaptulating the guests in their own half. The Green-Whites pused for the decider and were granted this after a Micoud free-kick. From the right, the Frenchman floated his cross into the five yard area were Ismael climbed higher than Koller and Kehl and headed the second for the double champions (57').

For the remainder Werder did no more than necessary to defend their two goal cushion. BVB combined well during this stage but only as far as the Werder box where they failed to find a final ball. One more Werder highlight in the 69th minute for Daniel Jensen after a counter attack through Micoud and Charisteas. The Danes shot from 18 meters was deflected away for a corner by a despeate Dortmund stray leg - one of few Werder attempts in the later stages. BVB were simply too harmless on the day to threaten the Werder defence which meant an average performance from Thomas Schaafs side was enough to seal the win and finally to celebrate a home win.

Johnnie Muldoon

Werder bremen: Reinke - Pasanen, Ismael, Baumann, Stalteri (87' Schulz) - Ernst, Jensen (69' Magnin), Borowski, Micoud - Klose, Klasnic (23' Charisteas)

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller - Madouni (64' Ricken), Brzenska, Wörns, N.Jensen - Kringe, Kehl, Dede (55' Kruska) - Rosicky - Senesie (55' Steegmann), Koller