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Njinmah goal secures victory for Werder in Wolfsburg
MATCH REPORT FOLLOWING THE AWAY GAME AGAINST VFL WOLFSBURG
21/03/26 | 5 Min
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A huge victory in the fight for survival! SV Werder won 1-0 at VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday afternoon thanks to Justin Njinmah’s second-half strike.
FIRST HALFPUERTAS TESTS OUT GRABARA, BACKHAUS WITH A BRILLIANT SAVE TO DENY LINDSTRÖM
Head coach Daniel Thioune recalled Mbangula to the starting XI after his recent thigh injury. Stark and Njinmah also returned to the side. Mbangula, one of the returnees, was involved straight away in Werder’s first attacking move. The Belgian slipped a pass through down the left edge of the box for fellow countryman Deman, whose cross into the middle just wouldn’t quite fall for the onrushing Schmid (6’).
Werder then began to carry more of a threat when Grüll was brought down in a central area. Puertas struck the resulting free-kick powerfully towards the Wolfsburg goal, but Grabara was in exactly the right place. The Polish keeper was there again moments later when Sugawara fired the rebound straight at goal (12’). At the other end, Wolfsburg also threatened from a set piece, with Wind getting his head to a corner, only for Backhaus to claw the ball off the line (16’).
The game then quietened down somewhat, with both sides reluctant to take risks and quick to drop back after losing possession. Werder failed to make the most of a promising counter as Bittencourt’s shot under pressure ended up well wide of the target (33’). Then, in the dying moments of the first half, the hosts went close to taking the lead. Backhaus first tipped an Eriksen free-kick over the bar (44’), before the Germany U21 international produced an even better save three minutes later, brilliantly turning Lindström’s strike onto the crossbar (45’+1).
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SECOND HALFNJINMAH GIVES WERDER THE LEAD
After the break, the Wolves were happy to give Werder more of the ball and look to strike on the break. While Thioune’s side moved it patiently in search of an opening, the hosts looked more dangerous whenever they turned defence into attack. Backhaus was called into action again to deny Maehle (48’), and Amoura then went agonisingly close after a surging solo run, flashing a shot just wide of the far post from a tight angle (60’).
Werder’s patience eventually paid off when Bittencourt slipped substitute Agu in behind. The ball then broke kindly for Njinmah, who guided a left-footed finish in off the inside of the post to put his side in front (68’). That changed the pattern of the game again, with the hosts forced onto the front foot. Maehle then teed up fellow substitute Majer, but he fired well wide of the target (77’).
From there, Thioune’s side defended their lead with real determination. Wolfsburg defender Jenz was shown a second yellow card for fouling substitute Musah as he looked to break away (90’+3). When referee Brand finally blew for full time, Werder’s away win was confirmed – a result that moved them seven points clear of the Wolves.
SVW have no league game next weekend due to the final international break of the season. They are back in action over Easter as they welcome former head coach Ole Werner and RB Leipzig to the Weserstadion.
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Statistics
VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara - Belocian, Jenz, Koulierakis - Kumbedi, Eriksen, Vinicius Souza (79' Arnold), Maehle (79' Daghim) - Lindström (65' Wimmer), Amoura (73' Shiogai) - Wind (73' Majer)
SV Werder: Backhaus - Sugawara, Stark (61' Coulibaly), Friedl, Deman - Bittencourt (90'+6 Schmetgens) - Schmid, Puertas - Grüll, Mbangula (61' Agu) - Njinmah (85' Musah)
Goal: 0-1 Njinmah (68')
Yellow cards: Jenz, Majer / -
Red card: Jenz (90'+3, second booking)
Referee: Benjamin Brand
Attendance: 28,917 (sold out)
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